The revival of Prince Bandar bin Sultan

Keep an eye on Saudi Arabia’s newly appointed spymaster, Prince Bandar bin Sultan. After a long stint in Washington where he served as ambassador for 22 years, the prince was recalled to Riyadh in 2005 and then largely sank from public view.

Reinstated to frontline politics last month, both King Abdullah and Barak Obama are investing their hopes in Prince Bandar to achieve mutual Saudi-American interests in response to ongoing unrest in the Middle East. Known for his flamboyant and maverick approach to politics, he has a unique opportunity to secure the vital interests of Saudi and its western allies.

Perhaps Saudi Arabia’s most skilled political operator, Bandar has a reputation for getting things done. He was once tasked with negotiating the controversial al-Yamamah arms deal with Thatcher’s government in 1985, which constitutes Britain’s largest ever export agreement worth £43 billion over the last twenty years. Bandar negotiated the contract over bibulous parties, according to the BBC, secured hundreds of millions of pounds worth of kickbacks for himself.