Crosswinds: The Way of Saudi Arabia by Fouad Ajami

Review by Tom Cummins

The Short 

An overview of Saudi political and social developments driven by the Gulf Wars. 

The Long 

Published posthumously and in honor of Ajami, Crosswinds takes a deep dive into the political landscape of Saudi Arabia pre-2011. The Saudi perspective on the first Gulf War, reaction to the 9/11 attacks, and impact on the 2003 American invasion of Iraq are all important aspects of Saudi foreign and domestic policy. As the wealthiest monarchy in the MENA region, the impact of the House of Saud on regional politics cannot be understated. As such, understanding how the monarchy treads the line between partnership with the United States and regional hegemony is imperative for anyone to grasp the region’s past, present, and future.

To read or not to read? 

Frankly, I found this a bit dry and because it only reaches 2011, the book isn’t particularly applicable to the situation in Saudi Arabia today. If you are looking for a perspective on Saudi reactions to the Gulf Wars and 9/11, this will be worth your time as it was a tumultuous time in the kingdom.