The Saudis have a real problem. They're enjoying the "good life" by selling oil to Europe and the United States and buying western goods with the money. Consequently it is in their interests to be friendly with the west. However the Saudi's are also the custodians of Mekka and Medina (Islam's first and second most holy cities). Mekka didn't just "fall in their lap". A Saudi king conquered Mekka from the Shiref(sp?) of Mekka (descended from the family of Mohammed the Prophet). How did the Saudis pull off that trick? Answer: By being "holier than thou". They actually made the claim that the people descended from Mohammed's family had lost touch with the "true Islam". Fortunately (so the story goes) the Saudi family practices a purer form of Islam and thus were able to conquer Mekka. I think this has been a very mixed blessing for the Saudis since their family's very survival requires them to have near perfect Islamic religious credentials. Tough to do and practice "real politic" at the same time. Fortunately for them, the U.S. and the British have played along with the game for several decades.

Gary