Resented Arab nationalism, especially the pan-Arabist rhetoric of Egypt and Iraq, but was willing to engage in realpolitik when it suited interests. Deeply religious and committed to Islamic solidarity. Suspicious of Western-style modernization but aware of the importance of diplomatic and economic pragmatism. King Faisal viewed the Shah’s cultural policies (like the glorification of pre-Islamic) as controversial, but continued to meet with him to coordinate on oil and anti-communist policy.
