Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud (born March 2, 1949, in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia) is a prominent member of the Saudi royal family as the son of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz and grandson of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. He pursued a military career early on, joining the Royal Saudi Air Force where he rose to the rank of fighter pilot and later became a lieutenant colonel. Bandar gained international prominence as Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States from 1983 to 2005, during which he cultivated deep relationships with multiple U.S. presidents, including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, facilitating key diplomatic and intelligence collaborations between the two nations. His tenure was marked by his role in securing U.S. support for Saudi interests, including arms deals and counterterrorism efforts, earning him the nickname 'Bandar Bush' among some circles due to his close ties with the Bush family. Following his ambassadorship, Bandar served as the secretary general of Saudi Arabia's National Security Council from 2005 to 2015, overseeing national security policy and strategy. In 2012, he was appointed director general of the Saudi Intelligence Agency (Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah), a position he held until 2014, during which he was involved in regional intelligence operations, notably against threats in Syria and Yemen. He briefly served as King Abdullah's special envoy from 2014 to 2015 before retiring from public office. Throughout his career, Bandar has been known for his deep ties to American elites and intelligence operations, his influence in Saudi foreign policy, particularly in U.S.-Saudi relations, and his involvement in intelligence networks that intersect with American elites. Allegations have surfaced regarding his role in arms deals and intelligence sharing, including unproven claims of involvement in controversial operations, but he remains a key figure in understanding Saudi influence abroad. Bandar's personal life includes his marriage to Princess Haifa bint Faisal, with whom he has eight children. He has been criticized for his lavish lifestyle and alleged financial dealings, including a 2010 WikiLeaks revelation of U.S. diplomatic cables suggesting Saudi funding of extremist groups, though Bandar denied direct involvement. His career exemplifies the intersection of Saudi royalty, military, and diplomacy, positioning him as a central node in networks of influence between the Middle East and the West.