The Bystander

Amy could see no one was an equal to the royals in the kingdom. But she kept that comment to herself.

Hassa, took a sip of water and switched to her bottle of iced tea.

“Our politics are confusing to outsiders. In 1932, Rashid’s grandfather, Abdul al Aziz, consolidated the tribes on the Arabian Peninsula. He allied himself with President Roosevelt because America was not a colonial power.”

Amy said that was true. “Americans come, but don’t stay.”

Hassa went on to speak as if she was reading from a book. Amy listened, waiting for an opportunity to ask about Prince Rashid.

“A group of business leaders called the Ulema advises the king. More often, though, senior princes appointed their sons to senior positions in the government ministries they control, especially in defense, oil or security,” Hassa explained.