Saudi Arabia

Latest News

Ex-Mossad head says Israel operates inside Iran, Saudi crown prince open to normalization - Haaretz

Trump ties Saudi F-35 deal to normalization with Israel - www.israelhayom.com

Voices from the Arab Press: The Trump-MBS meeting and AI - The Jerusalem Post

Scoop: Trump's meeting with MBS got tense over Israel - Axios

Once a Pariah, Saudi Prince Resets U.S. Relations on His Own Terms - The New York Times

Quick Summary of Saudi Arabia & Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Arabia has undergone significant political and economic transformations under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, often referred to as MBS. Since his rise to prominence in 2015, MBS has consolidated power through ambitious reforms under Vision 2030, aiming to diversify the kingdom’s oil-dependent economy and modernize its society. His tenure has been marked by high-profile initiatives, including the partial privatization of state-owned assets like Aramco, the introduction of entertainment reforms, and efforts to attract foreign investment. However, his leadership has also drawn international scrutiny, particularly over human rights concerns, such as the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the crackdown on dissent, and the controversial detention of high-profile figures, including royal family members, under anti-corruption campaigns. These actions have strained Saudi Arabia’s relationships with some Western governments while reinforcing MBS’s domestic authority as the de facto ruler. The question of impeachment or formal accountability for MBS remains highly unlikely within Saudi Arabia’s absolute monarchy, where political power is concentrated in the royal family and institutional checks are minimal. While calls for accountability have emerged from international human rights organizations and some foreign lawmakers, the kingdom’s legal and political systems provide no mechanism for impeaching the crown prince. Instead, MBS has strengthened his position by aligning closely with Saudi Arabia’s religious establishment and securing support from key global partners, including the United States, through strategic energy policies and regional security cooperation. Recent geopolitical shifts, such as the normalization talks with Israel and Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global oil markets, have further solidified his standing, ensuring that any challenges to his authority would likely come from within the royal family rather than through formal political or legal processes.