Saudi Arabia is the golden egg. It is the spiritual heartland of al Qaeda itself.

When Washington loses confidence in the Saudi government, it will ratchet up its already intense pressure on Riyadh to cooperate in the war against terrorism.

If al Qaeda can find a cooperative branch or a support base within the royal family, then the "regime" could persist -- at least in name -- even as Riyadh's political orientation shifts.

Taking control of the energy industry would give al Qaeda global leverage.