IOR/R/15/1/583

The volume consists of letters, telegrams, and reports relating to affairs between the British Mandate of Iraq and the Kingdom of Najd. The majority of the correspondence is between Leo Amery, Secretary of State for the Colonies, Austen Chamberlain, Foreign Secretary (both in London), Henry Dobbs, High Commissioner in Iraq, Lionel Haworth, Political Resident in Bushire, Cyril Barrett, Political Agent in Bahrain, James More, Political Agent in Kuwait, Ibn Sa'ud, King of Hejaz-Najd and its Dependencies, John Glubb, Administrative Inspector in Iraq, Gerald de Gaury, Special Service Officer in Kuwait, and the Government of India.

The volume covers the period of unrest after a revolt by the Ikhwan during which there was a perceived threat of attacks against Iraq and Kuwait. The causes of and solutions to the crisis are suggested and debated amongst the different offices and departments of the British Government. Subjects raised are:

• intelligence of tribal movements and activities, particularly those of the Ikhwan tribes of Mutair, 'Ajman, and 'Utaibah, and the threat and occurrence of cross-border raids, all gathered from reports by John Glubb, as well as local rumour and reports;
• issues concerning the defence of Kuwait (naval protection, air reconnaissance and bombing, a land force);
• the friction between civil and military authorities;
• the second meeting (August 1929) between Gilbert Clayton and Ibn Sa'ud to try and reach an agreement;
• the thoughts, motivations, and capabilities of Ibn Sa'ud;
• a second meeting between Ibn Sa'ud and Ikhwan leaders in Riyadh to try and resolve the crisis;
• the idea of a blockade of Hasa ports to force the Najdi tribes into submission.

Other subjects included are:

• the sale of arms to Kuwait;
• Sa'id al-'Aiyash, a Damascus journalist who plans to travel to Riyadh.