Continuity the theme as new King Salman ascends to Saudi throne

King Salman has already made some changes to Saudi Arabia's leadership, but there will be few shifts in policy

In a matter of hours after the death of King Abdullah had been announced, the whole face of the senior Saudi leadership had changed. With uncustomary speed the ruling family quashed two major controversies over the succession that had raged in social media and among Saudi Arabia analysts for many months. Crown prince Salman's accession to the throne was a formality. While some believed that his half-brother, deputy crown prince Muqrin might become heir to the throne, the prevailing view appeared to be that Salman might prefer his full brother Ahmed taking that role. It would be, many said, the return to dominance of the Sudeiris, the sons of one of Ibn Saud's favourite wives.  But this was n