“There is an immense scope for an aggressive foreign policy now,” said one western observer. “The Saudis have been remarkably upfront and aggressive about Syria. They haven’t been this open about supporting and arming an opposition force since Afghanistan.”
Prince Bandar is also known for harbouring particular hostility towards Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s president , whose file has been personally handled by King Abdullah’s own son, Prince Abdulaziz, the deputy foreign minister.
He also played roles in resolving various thorny matters, including negotiating the compromise in the Lockerbie bombing and initiating relations with Russia and China.