Saudi Arabia grapples with geopolitical change
The Crown Prince will continue to consolidate his control. But he must contend with unpredictable US foreign policy and shifting political alliances
For years, a criticism aimed at Saudi Arabia’s leaders was that the pace of change was too slow to meet the needs of its rapidly expanding, youthful society, as well as the challenges of a globally connected world. Paradoxically, and some might say unfairly, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) has since been criticised for trying to do too much too quickly, following his rise to prominence as defence minister and deputy Crown Prince in 2015. Set against this spectrum of expectations is the intersection of energy, politics, and security in Saudi Arabia—which has undergone rapid changes and necessitated a reassessment of the geopolitical landscape that confronts the Saudi leadership, five
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