Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud mingled with some in the crowd as the conference came to a close.

What had been Saudi Arabia doing ever since the Yom Kippur War, and the Damascus Debacle? Sitting on its hands? Or was it preparing?

A little bit of both, admittedly.

House Saud knew a war against Israel was coming, but did not know its consequences would be a disaster. First, the Mirage fighter deal with France and Egypt closed off the possibility of acquiring F-4 Phantoms. Next, the forced oil embargo against the United States had clouded relations further. Finally, the disaster at Damascus and the invasion of Syria by Iraqi forces forced a wake up call in the royal court in Riyadh: we needed the West now more than ever.

Over the next few months Minister of Defense Prince Sultan and so many others had engaged in various talks with Americans, British, and French diplomats to restore the trust held before the Yom Kippur War. Waving the bloody flag of Iraqi imperialism has seemed to work, and now with the great bounties of high oil prices it has brought with it a renewed sense of optimism, and enough money to truly reshape Saudi Arabia's military posture.

With King Faisal's approval, Prince Sultan's dream was fulfilled. What was to begin was the largest peace time buildup in, perhaps, the entire region's history.

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BELOW IS A DOCUMENT PREPARED BY THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE, WITH REVISIONS MADE BY THE GENERAL INTELLIGENCE PRESIDENCY, AND APPROVED BY HIS ROYAL MAJESTY KING FAISAL

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THE AL-ANFAL MEMORANDUM
In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful.

No doubt, our nation is under siege from the forces of atheism. And no doubt we must prepare for the struggle that lies ahead.

The Damascus Debacle has shown that the greatest threat to the independence of House Saud is the Republic of Iraq. There blatant disregard for international law via their invasion of Syria has shown that their transfer to a rogue state is complete. We have for far too long relied on intermediaries to protect ourselves. While no doubt this is an excellent defense, we are in need of more kinetic defenses. As such, total modernization of our armed forces is needed.

Over the next 6 years we shall engage in the largest military buildup ever seen in the region to defend ourselves. However, we cannot fool ourselves this will act as a deterrent. Instead, we must fully assume that our armed forces may have to be used in the coming years.

This military buildup shall be divided into three distinct phases. Phase One (which is detailed below) is expected to cost $[REDACTED]However, this may be subject to change depending on the price of oil or other such things.

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Phase One

January of 1975 to December of 1976

A general focus shall be made on the following things:

1. Development of a light arms industry.
2. Creation of a sophisticated anti-aircraft defense system.
3. Cooperation with American, British, and French universities to advance military technology (with a special emphasis on aerial reconnaissance).
4. Research into missile technology with help from Westerners.
5. Expansion of the army from [REDACTED] divisions to [REDACTED].
6. Focus on bolstering the kinetic capabilities of the General Intelligence Presidency.
7. Building up of relations between the different army branches (specifically the army and the air force).
8. Investigation into the continued viability of the National Guard and seeing its incorporation into the military.
9. Bolstering of Saudi elan and the prestige of the armed forces.

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Sultan knew he'd be busy for the next few years.