Formation of the kindom of saudi arabia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Formation of the kindom of saudi arabia - Essay Example These historical compliments can be but are not limited to the formation of the nation, outside influences that impacted upon this formation, foreign-policy decisions, and the way in which governance has come to be institutionalized and defined. As a function of this level of understanding, this particular analysis will first focus upon a brief history of the formation of Saudi Arabia; concentric upon leadership struggles, directional focus, conquests and subjugation. Similarly, an analysis will be made with regards to the current governmental structure that exists within Saudi Arabia. As such, a discussion of foreign-policy that utilizes the situation of how a sign with regards to how the United States and Saudi Arabia sought to accomplish different goals via the use of diplomacy and other foreign-policy instruments. One cannot begin to understand the nation of Saudi Arabia without first underscoring the importance that Abdulaziz had in creating it. Born in the year 1876 in Riyadh, now capital of Saudi Arabia, he and his family were soon forced to flee Riyadh due to the fact that a powerful tribe named the Al Rashi, a warlord from the Najd tribe, attacked and drove them to the desert town of Al-Murrah; a Bedouin tribe that exists in the very far southern deserts of Saudi Arabia. Only 15 at the time, this experience had a profound and lasting effect on Abdulaziz. Though he was not King at this time, this formative experience in the fact that he had been forced to move from his homeland provided for the impetus that he would later utilize as a means of devouring his studies. While living in the southern deserts of Saudi Arabia, he and his family were able to generate income by forming raiding parties and attacking the tribe that initially drove them from their home. These raids turned out to be rather lucrative and more and more raiders began joining the parties. Although Abdulaziz was still in his teens at this time, this understanding of the power of statecraf t and the means by which organization could affect one’s goals proves to be quite powerful. Soon thereafter, the family moved to Kuwait. It was in Kuwait that Abdulaziz’s formal education began. While there, he studied under the emir Mubarak Al-Sabah. During this time, his studies focused specifically on statecraft in the way in which nations performed, organized and how choices were made. However, perhaps the most defining moment in Abdulaziz life was in the year 1901. This was the year in which he and his half-brother, Mohammed, went back into Saudi Arabia and began organizing further raiding expeditions against Rashid and the Najd. Again, these raids proved effective, and Rashid and the tribes that were loyal to him continued to fall back under the mounting pressures that Abdulaziz placed upon them. With such an understanding, the fateful decision was made in January 1902 that Abdulaziz would attack Riyadh and take back his home. The raid was an astounding success w ith Abdulaziz only using 40 men in order to scale the walls, kill the governor, and exert new leadership over the city. This attack marks the beginning of what became known as the Third Saudi State. Although the capture of Riyadh was an important step in exhibiting control over all of Saudi Arabia, it was nonetheless only the first step. However as a