Saudis are speculating about the royal succession after King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz’s health deterioration. Despite mechanisms to ensure a smooth succession of Crown Prince Salman after Abdullah’s death, Saudis are watching a royal drama played by several ageing contenders to the throne. The succession situation is complex, with questions of legitimacy. Abdullah has given the kingdom 20 years of stability Salman is likely to provide continuity. The House of Saud values family harmony. The two previous Saudi kingdoms were wracked by internal family squabbles that their foreign enemies exploited. The Arab world is facing its worst crisis in decades and the royals want to present a stable and strong image in the midst of undercurrents of conflict. (Saudi Arabia and Iran are rivals for Middle East influence - Saudi Arabia as the leader of the Sunni Muslim world, and Iran as the leader of the Shia Muslim world)