Fearful Of ISIS, Saudis Continue To Fortify Border With Iraq

Officials in Saudi Arabia estimate that more than 2,000 young men have joined up with the self-proclaimed Islamic State, or ISIS.

The Saudi Special Operations Forces, under the Ministry of the Interior, have begun large-scale exercises to protect the border between that country and Iraq, to the north. Officials also worry about Saudis returning home after fighting with ISIS and carrying out attacks.

NPR’s Deborah Amos visited the Saudi Special Operations Center in Riyadh today and joins Here & Now's Meghna Chakrabarti to talk about the technically sophisticated training she witnessed and how expectations in Saudi Arabia have changed since the new king took the throne last month.