Oil-rich Islamic fundamentalist monarchy in the middle east which is home to the bin Laden family as well as to 15 of the September 11 hijackers. There have been allegations that members of the royal family were providing cash funds to some of the September 11 hijackers.

During the 2003 war in Iraq, the kingdom would not let U.S. troops or aircraft on their soil. who may involve in an invasion of Iraq.

Al Qaeda struck three compounds housing westerners in Riyadh mere hours before a scheduled visit by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on May 13, 2003. 25 people were killed, including 7 Americans.