Saudi Arabia’s longtime ambassador in Washington, Prince Bandar bin Sultan is resigning for what the Saudi foreign ministry says are “private reasons.” The man known as Bandar Bush for his close ties to President Bush and his father has been the ambassador to the US for 22 years. He has enjoyed unprecedented White House access and influence in Washington circles. His father is Prince Sultan—the Saudi defense minister. Bandar’s resignation coincides with uncertainty about the country’s ruling hierarchy. King Fahd is seriously ill, and Prince Sultan could move up in any reshuffling of authority. Bandar himself has been rumored to be in line for a top security post in Riyadh. It now appears that Prince Turki al-Faisal, another member of the Saudi royal family, will replace Bandar as ambassador.