And the British even before that. The British are a large part of the reason the Saudi family gained exclusive control of the region. They supplied and aided the Sauds... against rival Arabs and against the Turks. The religious extremists were the foot soldiers... shoring up the wealth and the trade routes for the Saud family and for the British. On the occasions the extremists got out of control and turned on their bosses the British were there to help again.. with airplanes and machine guns.
This period of history is interesting in light of the rise of groups like ISIS and makes me question that the same technique is not being attempted again.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sabilla
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhwan_Revolt
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Saud#Rise_to_power
This period of history is interesting in light of the rise of groups like ISIS and makes me question that the same technique is not being attempted again.