There have been really interesting developments within the house of Saud in recent years - it successfully broke with the Ottoman empire and built its own empire. I encourage all to research these developements on your own, as the house of Saud will play a role. A good place to start: http://www.brookings.edu/research/essays/2015/the-prince-of-counterterrorism.
Keep your eye on the Deputy Crown Prince, Muhammad Bin Salman, the one who is the son of and on the right of the current king of SA in the center below. He is the current Defense Minister and responsible for the war with Yemen. The current Crown Prince is the nephew, Muhammad Bin Nayef, the one on the left - our best Saudi buddy.
