Although the employment of arms for the sake of the tribe and the clan remains a higher ideal than military service to the state, service in the Saudi military is considered an honorable and sought-after profession. Arab warfare stems from nomadic traditions and cultural experiences that glorify the raid, which is a key aspect of Bedouin tribal conflicts. Arab warfare emphasizes the standoff, attrition, deception, and surprise. Since the mid-1960s Saudi Arabia's defense expenditures have increased dramatically. The country maintains two separate armies. The first is the national guard, or the white guard, which is a conglomeration of tribal levies organized along traditional lines with many active members. Its regular military forces include: an army, a navy, an air force and an air defense force. These forces, trained in part with U.S. assistance, are equipped with modern weapons and advanced aircraft.
Saudi Arabian History
During 570 to 632, the prophet Muhammad lived and died after spreading his new religion of Islam; by the time of his death, most Arabian Peninsula tribes ally with him; during 632 to 1744, there occurred the post-Islamic expansion and isolation, the region of Saudi Arabia was largely isolated from Arab civilization’s northern development; in 1743, Saudi Forces conquer Riyadh principality; during 1805 to 1806, Saudi forces capture Mecca and Medina.
In 1902, Abdul Aziz ibn Saud recaptures Riyadh, providing a base from which to expand Saudi control; in 1925, Saudi re-conquers Mecca and Medina; in 1932, Saudi Arabian Modern Kingdom consolidates within current borders; in 1938, oil is discovered; in 1979, militant fundamentalists seize the Grand Mosque in Mecca; in 1990, Iraq invades Kuwait, Saudis invite US and foreign military forces into the country to base their military operations against Iraq; in 1996, the bombing of the Khobar Towers in the Eastern province, attributed to Shi’a opposition group, kills 19 US military personnel and wounds hundreds more; in 2003, Al-Qaeda bombing campaign begins and continues to 2006.
