Chapter 5, Pavlov and His Dogs Summary and Analysis

In 1994, Baer returns to Washington from Dushanbe, Tajikistan and is surprised by the rents and prices. Riding home on his bike one day, he passes the estate of Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi Ambassador. Bandar is one of the most influential and powerful men in Washington.

Bandar becomes the Saudi Ambassador to the United States in 1983 when he is thirty-four years of age. He is an expert at both public and private diplomacy. Prior to being named ambassador, he was a military attaché and responsible for negotiating the sale of AWACs to the Saudi government. He is known to have performed favors for the United States and is known to donate heavily to Presidential libraries and other endeavors after an official leaves office.

Bandar and his wife Princess Haifa are lavish entertainers in...