King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
AGE: Around 84
OCCUPATION: Ruler of Saudi Arabia
NUMBER OF TIME COVERS: 0
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES ON THE TIME 100: 0
PRO: Oil-rich Saudi Arabia, which houses Mecca, is the leader of the Sunni Muslim world. King Abdullah has lately begun to shore up that position, openly criticizing the U.S. occupation of Iraq to curry favor with the masses, and stepping up pressure on Iran.
CON: The King recently gave up the power to appoint a successor, leaving that privilege with a council of the royal family. The Saudi royals are also regarded with suspicion by many Muslims, who see them as puppets of the U.S.