Trends in Saudi national security

In the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War, Saudi Arabia reassessed its national security policy, increasingly relying on its nascent military power. Even if Iraq was militarily weakened, Saudi Arabia perceived Baghdad as a long-t erm regional hegemon. Likewise, the recent thawing in Saudi-Iranian relatio ns notwithstanding, Riyadh remained, wary of revolutionary Iran. Finally, t he perennial Yemeni threat was re-awakened with a vengeance, potentially en gulfing both countries in a disastrous confrontation. Against these threats , Riyadh shouldered new security responsibilities, as its military role in the Gulf region evolved.