Word: fahd
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...more worldly and dynamic personality than Khalid, King Fahd is widely viewed as the Saudi leader most sympathetic to U.S. policies. His accession signals no major change in the kingdom's policies. Said a U.S. State Department official: "We are looking forward to more of the same basically sound cooperative relationship that we have had with Saudi Arabia for the past few years...
With equal speed and in strict accordance with royal protocol, the ruling hierarchy elevated Prince Abdullah, 59, a half brother of Fahd's, to Crown Prince. Abdullah, who is commander of the national guard, is considered an articulate advocate of Arab nationalism and Palestinian rights (see box). Prince Sultan, 58, a full brother of Fahd's, became second in line to the throne. He will retain his positions as Minister of Defense and Aviation and commander of the army...
Saudi specialists say that Fahd's first task will be to shore up his credentials with the traditionalists at home. Despite personality differences between Khalid and Fahd, the two men had complemented each other. Khalid remained close to the nomadic tribes that roam the country's desert wastelands, and his piety and sincerity appealed to devout practitioners of Wahhabism, the orthodox branch of Islam unique to Saudi Arabia. Fahd, on the other hand, gained international respect for his intelligence, flexibility and informed grasp of foreign affairs. But he had much weaker ties to the tribes, and his playboy...
...chief executive of one of the world's wealthiest countries, Fahd has in recent years become something of a workaholic, although he still keeps palatial mansions in Riyadh, London, Marbella, Geneva and on the Riviera, as well as a 3,600-ton yacht, The Atlantis, in which he cruises the Mediterranean. Says Arabist Peter Iseman: "Fahd has a conspicuously more global vision than a great majority of his brothers. Yet being with him is similar to taking a warm bath: he is extremely agreeable, warm, charming, witty." Friends say he is especially devoted to his son Abdul Aziz...
...Although Fahd may ultimately prove more forceful than Khalid in espousing policies favorable to the U.S., Saudi specialists caution that he will have to act slowly so as not to offend traditionalists at home and Arab opinion abroad at a time when U.S. military and political support to Israel is being blamed for the latest Arab humiliation in Lebanon. Says Iseman: "This is not a time for the U.S. to expect bold new initiatives from him." Behind the scenes, Fahd has already proved to be a skillful diplomat. After the Israelis launched their drive into Lebanon, Fahd quickly flew...