The Saudi royal decree against terrorism in February 2014, and later the Interior Ministry declaration in March banning several Islamist groups, can be considered as the general framework of the new security doctrine that will govern the behavior of the Saudi government in the coming period. This takes into account that potential court cases against those targeted by the two declarations will remain closer to the interests of political decision-makers, which may vary from case to case and time to time.

According to the new security doctrine, there are two main types of threats: solid threats, represented by al-Qaeda, the Houthis and Saudi Hezbollah (Hezbollah in the Hijaz),; and soft threats, represented by writings related to religion, or the so-called phenomenon of atheism, rights activism, and Islamist groups represented mainly by the Muslim Brotherhood.

Solid threats are represented by armed groups with a history of targeting Saudi security organizations, such as al-Qaeda, Hezbollah in the Hijaz and the Houthis. Despite the success of the Saudi government in weakening these groups, that the Syrian revolution has not been decidedly resolved and has turned into a sectarian conflict, in addition to the troubled situations in Yemen and Iraq, may present an opportunity for the revival of these groups. Saudi border areas with Yemen and some areas in the east and north of the kingdom are potential locations for such solid threats.

Soft threats are represented by rights activism and general demands, in addition to groups accused of infringing on religious truths or groups affiliated with Muslim Brotherhood thought. These threats may represent a challenge to the prevailing discourse, whether politically or religiously.