Prince Bandar Takes Over Saudi Intelligence

Prince Bandar

Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the once high-profile Saudi Ambassador to the US, has been named head of Saudi Intelligence, replacing Prince Muqrin.

Bandar served as Ambassador to the US for an astounding 22 years, from 1983 to 2005. At the end of that tenure he was named head of the Saudi National Security Council, a post he will continue to hold along with that of Chief of General Intelligence.

Bandar, though head of the National Security Council, had dropped from sight for several years, leading to speculation about his health, physical or political. He returned to visibility in 2010.

Prince Muqrin

The appointment of the (once) high-profile Bandar suggests, as many are already saying, a recognition that the changes of Arab Spring and, particularly, the Syrian situation and the Iranian thrdeat represent a dynamically altered Middle East and necessitate a greater Saudi proactive policy.