Expanding the Role of Saudi Arabian National Guard in the War on Terrorism: A Strategic Vision
Abstract
The Saudi Arabian National Guard is uniquely able to develop and implement programs to address a facet of the terrorist threat to the Kingdom that to date has received relatively little attention, deterring Saudi youth from joining terrorist groups in the first place. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has experienced terrorism before, but for the general public, the threat of terrorism turned into a reality first when most of September 11, 2001(9/11) attacks in the United States were Saudis citizen (15 of the 19 terrorists), and second, in 2003, when terrorists attacked a housing compound in kiyadh on May 12, killing about 20 and wounding another 194, and in a second attack the following November, during the Muslims holy month of kamadan. The 2003 attacks in particular brought home the reality that Saudi Arabia was the target of a major terrorist campaign. This new face of terrorism evolved into what has become the most dangerous security threat to the Kingdom today. The threat stems from two major sources. First, Osama Bin Laden has a personal grudge against the Saudi regime for stripping him of his Saudi citizenship, and even for inviting in American and other Western forces into the Kingdom to engage in Desert Storm instead of relying on his mujahhidin. Second and even more ominous, he is targeting disaffected Saudi youth to recruit into al-Qa'ida. Bin Laden's success in targeting Saudi youth was demonstrated in the 9/11 attacks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA491925
Entities
People
- Fahad Alzahrani
Organizations
- Marine Corps University