Mohammed bin Salman

Mohammed bin Salman
وكالة الأنباء السعودية · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Mohammed bin Salman
Title	Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia
Birth date	31 August 1985
Birth place	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Spouse	Princess Sara bint Mashour Al Saud
House	House of Saud
Father	Salman of Saudi Arabia
Mother	Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain
Religion	Islam

Mohammed bin Salman. He is the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, serving as the de facto ruler under his father, King Salman. His rapid ascent to power has positioned him as the central architect of an ambitious transformation agenda for the nation, known as Vision 2030. His tenure has been marked by sweeping economic reforms, significant social liberalization, and a more assertive foreign policy, alongside controversies that have drawn intense international scrutiny.

Early life and education

Born in Riyadh, he is a son of King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain. He is a grandson of the kingdom's founder, Ibn Saud. He received his early education in the capital before earning a Bachelor of Laws degree from King Saud University. His thesis focused on commercial arbitration, reflecting an early interest in legal and economic frameworks. During his youth, he was deeply influenced by the political environment of the royal court and the governance of the House of Saud.

Career and rise to power

His early career included advisory roles within the Royal Court of Saudi Arabia and the Experts Commission. A pivotal moment came in January 2015 when his father ascended the throne, appointing him as Minister of Defense and head of the royal court. In April 2016, he announced the Saudi Vision 2030, outlining his transformative plans. His consolidation of power accelerated in June 2017 when he was named Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, replacing his cousin Mohammed bin Nayef. This move was ratified by the Allegiance Council and solidified his control over key portfolios, including the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Development.

Vision 2030 and economic reforms

The cornerstone of his agenda is Vision 2030, a strategic framework to reduce the kingdom's dependence on oil. Key initiatives include the Public Investment Fund driving investments in sectors like technology and tourism, and the development of the futuristic city NEOM in the Tabuk Province. He has overseen the partial privatization of Saudi Aramco, one of the world's largest initial public offerings. Other major projects include the Red Sea Project and the Qiddiya entertainment city, aimed at diversifying the Economy of Saudi Arabia.

Social and cultural reforms

He has spearheaded a series of dramatic social changes, often described as a period of liberalization. In 2018, he lifted the ban on cinemas and women driving. Reforms have also included curtailing the power of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and promoting public entertainment events like the Riyadh Season festival. The Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority was established to oversee this expansion. These changes have altered the social landscape, though they operate within the framework of guardianship laws.

Foreign policy and international relations

His tenure has seen a more assertive and interventionist foreign policy of Saudi Arabia. He has led the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen against the Houthi movement, a conflict with severe humanitarian consequences. He orchestrated the 2017–18 Qatar diplomatic crisis, imposing a blockade on Qatar. A significant shift has been the pursuit of normalization with Israel, facilitated by the United States, as seen in the Abraham Accords. His international engagements have included high-profile visits to the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Russia, and hosting summits like the G20 in Riyadh.

Controversies and criticism

His rule has been accompanied by significant international controversy. The Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi inside the Consulate of Saudi Arabia, Istanbul in 2018 drew global condemnation and implicated elements of the Royal Guard. Domestically, the 2017–19 Saudi Arabian purge at the Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh targeted business elites and royals like Al-Waleed bin Talal under an anti-corruption committee he chaired. His policies in the Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) have faced criticism from organizations like Human Rights Watch and the United Nations. The detention of activists, including Loujain al-Hathloul, has also been a focal point for human rights groups.

Category:1985 births Category:Crown Princes of Saudi Arabia Category:Prime Ministers of Saudi Arabia Category:House of Saud