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The article reports that some White House officials and others advising the government have grown skeptical about a plan to significantly increase Saudi Arabia's oil production capacity. As oil prices have climbed over the last few years, the administration of U.S. Present George W. Bush has looked to Saudi Arabia to pump extra oil. Doubts about Saudi Arabia's assurances of how much it can expand capacity have been raised in a secret intelligence report and in a separate analysis by a leading government oil advisor.

Reports that United States President George W. Bush met with Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to discuss the cost of oil and a plan by the Saudis to increase their oil-pumping capacity. Relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; Report that Saudi Arabia will push down oil prices as demand for energy increases; Impact of the rise of oil and gasoline prices on the U.S. economy.

Reports on the plan of Saudi Arabian oil executives to maintain production capacity for the rest of the decade. Rate of production of the petroleum industry in the region.

Reports on the slow cooperation of the Saudi officials concerning the control of money flow from Saudi-financed charities to groups deemed by the U.S. to be supporting terrorism as of November 2002.

Reports that the U.S. has failed to curb its dependence upon Saudi Arabian oil supplies despite efforts to diversify sources of oil after the Persian Gulf war. Implications of dependence upon Saudi oil in relation to energy security issues in the U.S. and prospects of war with Iraq; Political leverage afforded Saudi Arabia due to the volume of their oil exports; Discussion about foreign relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia; U.S. strategies to safeguard oil supplies and prices.

Provides information on a report by a council sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations regarding the finance of terrorists in Saudi Arabia as of October 2002.

Discusses the US Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) investigation of Saudi Arabia's political stability. American concerns that the United States could lose its closest ally in the Persian Gulf, in the same way it lost Iran to revolution in 1979; Concern about June 1996 bombing which killed 19 Americans in Saudi Arabia; CIA task force's conclusions about the country's stability; Concerns about the lack of intelligence information regarding Saudi Arabia.

Presents the second of two articles on Saudi Arabia's financial decline, the consequence of a decade in which the country lived beyond its means. US efforts to insure that the Saudis can buy on credit what they once bought with cash; Signs of a changing relationship between the two countries; The old order; The new reality; The changing rules; The risk factor; The consequences.

Reports that Saudi Arabia has spent almost all of its $121 billion in financial reserves during the past decade on huge military purchases, social programs, foreign aid, the Gulf War and through irregular banking practices. Since 1983 the Saudis have racked up ten consecutive years of budget deficits. Saudi officials refuse to answer questions submitted in writing concerning their country's financial condition; Evidence of Saudi's financial straits; Details.

Relates that United States aides are fearing for the stability of Saudi Arabia, due to terrorist bombings and declining health of King Fahd. Bombings in 1995 and 1996, including a truck bombing which killed 19 American military personnel in Dhahran; The king's stroke; Reasons for the United States' concern, including the rise of a militant domestic opposition and questions about royal succession; Why the United States feels the need to tread softly.