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| Council of Political and Security Affairs | |
|---|---|
| Name | Council of Political and Security Affairs |
| Formation | 2015 |
| Jurisdiction | Saudi Arabia |
| Headquarters | Riyadh |
| Chief1 name | Mohammad bin Salman |
| Chief1 position | Chairman |
Council of Political and Security Affairs The Council of Political and Security Affairs is a Saudi Arabian cabinet-level advisory and executive body established under royal decree to coordinate domestic and regional security policy, foreign policy, and intelligence priorities; it operates within the institutional framework created by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and the office of King Salman to align responses to crises such as the Yemeni Civil War, the Qatar diplomatic crisis, and concerns related to Iran–Saudi Arabia relations. The Council interfaces with provincial authorities, national institutions like the Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia), the Ministry of Defense (Saudi Arabia), and agencies including the General Intelligence Presidency, while engaging externally with counterparts from the United States National Security Council, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The council was created by royal decree during the reign of King Salman and the rise of Mohammad bin Salman amid wider institutional reforms following the 2015 Saudi Arabian cabinet reshuffle; its formation occurred against a backdrop of the Arab Spring aftermath, the Syrian Civil War, and renewed competition with Iran. Early activities referenced operations linked to the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen and coordination with partners including the United States Department of State, the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the United Arab Emirates leadership; these actions intersected with agreements such as the Riyadh Agreement (2019) and responses to incidents like the 2019 Abqaiq–Khurais attack. Historical developments also reflect shifts seen in institutions like the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and interactions with actors such as Mohammad bin Nayef and former ministers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Saudi Arabia).
The Council's remit includes crafting policy on matters traditionally handled by the Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia), the Ministry of Defense (Saudi Arabia), and the Presidency of State Security; it issues strategic guidance for operations relating to the Yemeni Civil War, counterterrorism coordinated with the United States Central Intelligence Agency, and maritime security in the Red Sea. It develops frameworks for coordination with entities such as the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the United Nations Security Council, and regional mechanisms like the Gulf Cooperation Council to address crises including the Qatar diplomatic crisis and disputes involving Lebanon. The council also supervises initiatives tied to national programs like Vision 2030 and security-related components linked to the Saudi Vision 2030 reforms, working alongside the Public Investment Fund and defense contractors such as Saudi Arabian Military Industries.
The Council is chaired by the Crown Prince and comprises ministers and senior officials drawn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Saudi Arabia), the Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia), the Ministry of Defense (Saudi Arabia), and service chiefs from branches like the Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Air Force, and Royal Saudi Naval Forces. It coordinates with the General Intelligence Presidency, the Presidency of State Security, and the Kingdom's advisory bodies while maintaining liaisons to foreign counterparts such as the United States National Security Council and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. Committees and working groups are formed to address discrete challenges—counterterrorism linked to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant matters, humanitarian coordination with International Committee of the Red Cross, and arms procurement interacting with firms like Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems.
Key initiatives overseen by the Council include Saudi participation in the coalition in Yemen, maritime security missions in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and policies responding to drone and missile threats exemplified by the 2019 Abqaiq–Khurais attack; these policies have been coordinated with partners such as the United States Department of Defense and the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. The council has advanced internal security reforms connected to the consolidation of the Presidency of State Security and collaborated on regional diplomacy leading to arrangements like the Riyadh Agreement (2019) and confidence-building measures with Kuwait and the Oman mediation tracks. It has also influenced export controls and procurement policy related to suppliers including Raytheon Technologies and Airbus, and oversaw crisis planning for events such as the Hajj in coordination with entities like the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
By statute and practice the chair is the Crown Prince, with membership drawn from senior figures including the Minister of Interior (Saudi Arabia), the Minister of Defense (Saudi Arabia), the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, and heads of the General Intelligence Presidency and Presidency of State Security. Notable officeholders who have engaged with the Council's work include members of the royal family associated with portfolios like Prince Khalid bin Salman and officials previously serving in posts such as the Ambassador to the United States and the Minister of State for International Cooperation. The Council also appoints military advisers and civilian experts seconded from institutions like the King Faisal Specialist Hospital (for medical readiness) and national think tanks such as the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center.
The Council maintains institutional relationships with domestic entities including the Council of Ministers (Saudi Arabia), the Shura Council, and the Public Investment Fund while coordinating operationally with the Ministry of Defense (Saudi Arabia), the Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia), and the Presidency of State Security. Internationally it liaises with the United States National Security Council, NATO missions, and Arab institutions like the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council for collective security initiatives; it has engaged multilaterally with the United Nations Security Council on sanctions and humanitarian resolutions related to Yemen. The Council's external posture involves partnerships with bilateral counterparts including the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and defense cooperation with states such as Egypt and Jordan.
Category:Saudi Arabian politics