bandar was appointed director general of saudi intelligence agency on 19 july 2012 replacing muqrin bin abdulaziz. although no official reason for the appointment was provided, the appointment occurred after growing tension between sunnis and shiites in the eastern province of saudi arabia. it was also considered as a move of saudi arabia to display more aggressive foreign policy given the regional challenges that comes from iran and syria. prince bandar is also a member of the military service council.