Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ascended to the throne of Saudi Arabia following the passing of his brother, King Khalid, who had ruled since 1975. Khalid's tenure was marked by considerable development in the country, especially in infrastructure and health systems, which paved the way for continued growth. Fahd, who had been serving as Crown Prince, was seen as a natural successor. His ascension came amidst a backdrop of evolving dynamics in the Middle East and increasing demands for modernization within Saudi Arabian society. The early years of Fahd’s reign focused on consolidating power and guiding the nation through an era where oil wealth could be effectively leveraged to improve the living standards of Saudi citizens. 

Under Fahd’s leadership, the country underwent significant changes. He initiated a series of reforms aimed at modernizing the economy and diversifying it away from mere oil dependency. This included expanding the education system and investing in health and social programs. Additionally, during his reign, Saudi Arabia began to play a larger role in regional politics, navigating complex relationships with neighboring countries, particularly during the Iran-Iraq War. Fahd was instrumental in establishing trade relations and alliances that would benefit Saudi Arabia’s economic interests in an increasingly globalized world.