Description

For the last two and a half decades—through war, oil crises, and global terrorism—the United States and Saudi Arabia have had a very special relationship, thanks in no small part to one man: Prince Bandar bin Sultan. The illegitimate son of a Saudi prince and a servant girl, he used his vital behind-the-scenes influence to convince Gorbachev to withdraw the Soviet military from Afghanistan and helped President Reagan and CIA Director William Casey to win the Cold War with Saudi petrodollars. A Machiavellian manipulator, he negotiated an end to the Iran-Iraq war and played a key role in the Iran-Contra affair. George H. W. Bush took Bandar and his family fishing. Colin Powell would drop by to play racquetball.

In this revealing biography, William Simpson pulls back the curtain on the fascinating and startling life of an extraordinary power-player who emerged as one of the driving forces behind American foreign policy throughout the 1980s and '90s. At a time when understanding our friends is as important as knowing our enemies, understanding Prince Bandar bin Sultan may well be the key to figuring out the Saudis.

About the Author

William Simpson was a classmate of Prince Bandar at the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, where they became friends through a mutual interest in fencing during the two and a half years of their officer training. Simpson founded and was CEO of an Internet company, and also worked with a Mayfair-based hedge fund as President of North American Operations. After his retirement from the world of financial services, Simpson undertook this biography with the cooperation of Prince Bandar. Simpson lives in the United Kingdom.

Praise For…

“A man of principle, a diplomat of astonishing caliber, and one of the great peacemakers of our time.” — Nelson Mandela

“Flamboyant, dramatic, personable, smart, canny and probably manipulative.” — General Brent Scowcroft

“The perfect bridge between the reclusive Desert Kingdom and the anything-goes character of the United States.” — Mark Matthews, Baltimore Sun

“A refreshingly different diplomat—not-ideological, highly pragmatic.” — Henry Siegman, executive director of the American Jewish Congress

“In this account, Bandar plays his role with as much aplomb as the infamous Machiavelli, but with far more humanity.” — Publishers Weekly

“Simpson’s revelations, however, have use for readers seeking a view of how Washington really works.” — Kirkus Reviews

“...an exceptionally valuable and sympathetic, but nuanced and fair portrait of this remarkable man.” — Martin Sieff, Washington Times

“Highly recommended.” — Martin Sieff, Washington Times