Thirdly, King Fahd has always believed in quiet diplomacy. As a consequence, Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy has often been described by outsiders as cautious. When working one’s way through the minefield of Middle East politics, caution is no bad quality but this section will show that, on a number of occasions, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken the initiative in trying to resolve some of the most intractable problems within its area of influence and that, despite appearances, in some cases such initiatives have involved a not inconsiderable degree of risk.

• Continue