Saudi Arabia

• 1912


  The Ikhwan (Brotherhood) is founded based on strict Wahhabi Sunni Islam, and provides key support for Ibn Saud.
• 1921-25


  After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Ibn Saud takes over Najd and Hijaz, the home to the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
• 1928-30


  Ibn Saud defeats an Ikhwan uprising against his efforts to modernisation the region.
• 1932 September


  Ibn Saud unites his lands as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and takes the King Abdulaziz.
• 1938


  Oil is discovered and production begins under the US-controlled Aramco (Arabian American Oil Company).
• 1948


  didn't fight directly in 1948 war but sent troops who were under Egyptian command
• 1953 November


  King Abdulaziz dies and is succeeded by Crown Prince Saud, whose reign is marked by rivalry with Arab nationalist Egypt in the region and a power struggle with his borther Faisal at home.
• 1960


  Saudi Arabia is a founding member of Opec (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries).
• 1964 November


  King Saud is deposed by his brother Faisal.
• 1973


  Saudi Arabia leads an oil boycott against the Western countries that supported Israel in the October Yom Kippur War with Egypt and Syria. Oil prices quadruple.
• 1990


  Saudi Arabia condemns Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and asks the US to intervene.
• 1991


  Saudi Arabia is involved in both air attacks on Iraq and the land force that went on to liberate Kuwait.
• 1994


  Islamic dissident Osama Bin Laden is stripped of his Saudi nationality.
• 2001 11 September


  15 of the 19 hijackers involved in attacks on New York and Washington are Saudi nationals.
• 2010 October


  US officials confirm plan to sell $60 billion worth of arms to Saudi Arabia - the most lucrative single arms deal in US history.
• 2011 February


  King Abdullah announces increased welfare spending, as 'Arab Spring' unrest continues in the region.
• 2011 March


  Saudi troops participate in crackdown on unrest in Bahrain.
• 2011 September


  King Abdullah announces more rights for women, including the right to vote and run in municipal elections, and to be appointed to the consultative Shura Council.