Shaykh Yusuf Yassin (18921962) marked the contemporary history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in his capacity as a favorite advisor who was the founder monarchs confidential secretary, relentless envoy and chief foreign policy consultant. Born in Latakiyyah, Syria, Yassin earned the confidence of King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, and moved to Riyadh even before the Third Saudi Kingdom was inaugurated in 1932. After obtaining citizenship he participated in critical decisions reached by the ruler as regional and international actors honed in on the wealth of the Arabian Peninsula. Over the course of several decades Yusuf Yassin met with and negotiated on behalf of three monarchs, Abdul Aziz and his two successors, Saud and Faysal, with Arab and global leaders. He was present at the creation of the country and suggested that al-Saudiyyah be added to its very nameAl-Mamlakah al-Arabiyyah al-Saudiyyahwhich reflected his personality and political outlook as an Arab nationalist who cherished the founder. Joseph Kechichian has written the first political biography of the statesman, based on original documents [the Yassin Papers] as well as Western diplomatic correspondence. Kechichian provides insights into the Nationalist Al Saud Advisor who left his mark on Saudi Arabia. The volume provides essential background on a man who rose from humble origins in Syria to espouse Arabian values, and walks the reader through nearly five decades of Arab history, including the repercussions of the infamous 1916 SykesPicot Agreement, the creation of the League of Arab States, and various Arab crises. These events, experienced and engaged with by Shaykh Yusuf Yassin at the highest political and diplomatic levels, set the stage that empowered Saudi Arabia, along with other Arab States, with the wherewithal to succeed for their respective peoples.

About the Author
Joseph A. Kechichian is the author of several published books, including Succession in Saudi Arabia (2001), Faysal: Saudi Arabia's King for All Seasons (2008), Power and Succession in Arab Monarchies, (2008), and Legal and Political Reforms in Saudi Arabia (2013). His most recent publications are Iffat al Thunayan: An Arabian Queen (2015), From Alliance to Union: Challenges Facing Gulf Cooperation States (2016) and the forthcoming A Sultanate that Endures: Oman In the World from Qaboos bin Sa'id to Haitham bin Tariq.


Book Information
ISBN 9781845198046
Author Joseph A. Kechichian
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint Liverpool University Press
Publisher Liverpool University Press