The Son King and the ‘Man of the Palace’

The Son King ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 101-138
Author(s):  
Madawi Al-Rasheed
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Crown Prince ◽  
Abrupt Rise

This chapter discusses the events surrounding and leading up to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by operatives of the Saudi regime in the country’s consulate in Istanbul. It explains the killing of Khashoggi—an insider who knew too much—as a function of the new repression in Saudi Arabia. The chapter examines Khashoggi’s transformation from a regime propagandist to a persona non grata, explaining this change with reference to the abrupt rise of Crown Prince Muhammad ibn Salman and the shift in Saudi politics that it brought about.

scholarly journals Yemen Crisis after 2015: The Attitudes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (69) ◽  
pp. 717-734
Author(s):  
Seyedmohammad Seyedi Asl ◽  
Hazar Leylanoğlu ◽  
Ataollah Bahremani ◽  
Shalaleh Zabardastalamdari
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
The Political ◽  
Major Player ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
Contradictory Behavior ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Crown Prince

In this study, using the descriptive-analytical method, we discuss the main factors in the formation of the Yemen crisis, as well as the attitudes of the two Arab states and of the two neighboring countries, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, in the Yemen crisis. It is concluded that this crisis stems not only from the role of local actors, but also from the role of regional and global actors, who played a decisive role in shaping and exacerbating the Yemen crisis. Regional players in the post-2015 crisis include the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which showed contradictory behavior. Saudi Arabia's targets in its attack on Yemen have a greater military and security dimension. The political and economic objectives of the United Arab Emirates, which is Riyadh's most important ally in this war, have been at a different level from those of Saudi Arabia. This can be seen in Abu Dubai Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed's aspirations to expand his country's influence, to become a major player in the region.

The Son King

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madawi Al-Rasheed
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Economic Reforms ◽  
International Community ◽  
Royal Family ◽  
Current Wave ◽  
Crown Prince ◽  
Asylum Seekers And Refugees

The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by regime operatives shocked the international community and tarnished the reputation of the young, reformist Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. This book situates the murder in the context of the duality of reform and repression and challenges common wisdom about the inevitability of the latter. The author dismisses defunct views about the inescapable ‘Oriental Despotism’ as the only pathway to genuine reform in the country. Focusing on the prince’s divisive domestic, social and economic reforms, the author argues that the current wave of unprecedented repression is a function of the prince consolidating his power outside of the traditional consensus of royal family members and influential Saudi groups. But the divisive populist nationalism bin Salman has adopted, together with repressing the diverse critical voices of religious scholars, feminists and professionals, has failed to silence a vibrant young Saudi society and an articulate and connected youth cohort. Due to its repression, Saudi Arabia is now producing asylum seekers and refugees who seek safe havens abroad to pursue their quest for freedom, equality and dignity. While the regime continues to pursue them abroad and punish their families at home, exiled activists are determined to continue the struggle against one of the most repressive monarchies in the Arab world.

The Gulf Monarchies Face the Twenty-First Century

2019 ◽  
pp. 103-132
Author(s):  
Marina ◽  
David Ottaway
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Arab World ◽  
National Identities ◽  
First Century ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
Political Repression ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
Gulf Countries ◽  
Crown Prince ◽  
Regional Primacy

The six Gulf monarchies form a distinct bloc within the Arab world. Saudi Arabia seeks to dominate it and is presently entangled in a struggle for regional hegemony with Iran. The 2011 uprisings failed to overturn any of the monarchies,which all became acutely aware of the threat that these uprisings posed, andthen chose to accelerate reforms in response. Five of the Gulf countries have tiny indigenous populations, most outnumbered by foreign workers. They also haveenormous oil or gas wealth andambitious 2030 visions for development. In addition, the five all face the double challenge of having an expansionist Iran and domineering Saudi Arabia as neighbors. Since independence from Britain in 1971, they have dedicated themselves, several with notable success, to establishing modern states, national identities and a global stature. Meanwhile, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi kingdom is finally undergoing radical social and economic changes in the midst of unprecedented political repression and major resistance to the Saudi bid for regional primacy from both Iran and other increasingly independent-minded Gulf monarchies.In addition, U.S.-Saudi relations, the bedrock of Saudi stability and security, are deteriorating.

Yemen campaign raises Saudi stability risks

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Crown Prince ◽  
State Group ◽  
At Home

Significance The Saudi-led campaign against the Huthi movement in Yemen looks set to continue well into 2016. At the end of 2015 there were signs that the length and scale of the coalition effort had weakened the Huthis, but not yet to a point where the group is ready for serious negotiations. Impacts The war will enable both al-Qaida and Islamic State group (ISG) to expand in Yemen and potentially threaten Saudi Arabia. The conflict will intensify anti-Shia rhetoric in Saudi Arabia, further straining the loyalty of the Saudi Shia minority. Fiscal pressures at home will increase Saudi Arabia's incentive to draw the conflict to a close. Progress in Yemen could boost the succession prospects of the war's key architect, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

Ambitious reform plan will test Saudi government

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Development Plan ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Government Transparency ◽  
Gulf Countries ◽  
Reform Plan ◽  
Crown Prince ◽  
National Transformation ◽  
Transparency And Accountability

Subject Saudi National Transformation Program. Significance Saudi Arabia recently launched a five-year development plan, the National Transformation Program (NTP), which sets hundreds of quantified targets and initiatives for ministries. The NTP aims to move the country beyond oil dependence and introduce a culture of transparency and accountability into government. Impacts Other Gulf countries will use the NTP to inform their own reform agendas. Its success or failure will be critical in determining the standing of the deputy crown prince. Implementing the NTP at all levels of government will create a boom in consultancy work. Greater government transparency may build pressure for democratisation.

Jihadists will slow stabilisation of Yemen's south

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Central Government ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
State Actors ◽  
The Government ◽  
Crown Prince ◽  
Government Authority

Significance The bombing represents the latest setback to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s efforts to stabilise southern Yemen and reinstall the government of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi. ISG is just one of a number of sub-state actors that have been empowered by the conflict and that will seek to challenge central government authority. Impacts Insecurity in Aden will deal a blow to the legitimacy of the Saudi-backed Hadi government. A major setback in the south will reflect badly on the reputation of Saudi Defence Minister Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Reconstruction efforts in southern Yemen will place increased long-term strain on the Saudi budget in particular. Southern Yemen could emerge as a key battleground in the rivalry between al-Qaida and ISG for leadership of the global jihad.

The royal Saudi visit may change long-term US views

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
News Media ◽  
Close Association ◽  
The United States ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Building Relationships ◽  
Crown Prince

Significance The crown prince (colloquially known across Western news media as ‘MBS’), this month visited the United States, building relationships, announcing business deals and seeking to soften the image of Saudi Arabia. His seven-city tour included meetings with politicians from both parties, high-tech business leaders and Hollywood stars. Impacts The close association with Washington may play well to MBS’s youth base, but could further antagonise Saudi conservatives. Relationships built on the trip will likely boost US investment in Saudi Arabia, despite concerns about a fickle business environment. The Saudi charm offensive could provoke an adverse US domestic reaction if civilian casualties in Yemen spike and hit the news cycle.

Saudi government reshuffle will aid the crown prince

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Crown Prince

Headline SAUDI ARABIA: Reshuffle will aid the crown prince

scholarly journals Brute Force and Hollow Reforms in Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Vol 119 (821) ◽  
pp. 331-337
Author(s):  
Madawi Al-Rasheed
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Brute Force ◽  
The Past ◽  
Oil Market ◽  
Foreign Policies ◽  
Rapid Ascent ◽  
Crown Prince ◽  
At Home

The rapid ascent of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the past several years has shaken Saudi Arabia. Delegated unusual authority by his aged father, King Salman, the crown prince has promised bold steps to modernize the economy and loosen social restrictions on youth and women. Yet his actions on these fronts have been overshadowed by his ruthless moves to intimidate rivals to the throne and silence dissidents at home and abroad. Mohammed’s aggressive foreign policies have also caused many to question his judgment. Now the COVID-19 pandemic and a fall in the oil market have added to the kingdom’s discontents.

The Saudi crown prince will seek to repair his image

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Crown Prince

Headline SAUDI ARABIA: Crown prince will seek to repair image

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