Crown Prince’s Instrument
As the monarchy’s intelligence apparatus, GIP is instrumental to the power of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Once the King’s personal security detail, the Saudi service was organized into a modern intelligence service by Prince Turki al-Faisal in the 1970s. Faisal, who maintained good relations with the U.S. CIA and Washington policymakers, resigned ten days before the 9/11 attacks, in which 15 Saudi hijackers participated.
The GIP was tested by crisis in U.S-Saudi relations triggered the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018. One top GIP official has been charged with murder. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) announced a reorganization of GIP in October 2018 with results to be determined. The GIP remains an instrument of MBS’s power.
Resources
- Prince Turki al-Faisal (Saudi Embassy)
- Comments/Corrections/Suggestions about GIP
