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What Khashoggi's Murder Tells Us about the Saudi Power Structure

(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Simon Henderson - Muhammad bin Salman (MbS), 33, Saudi crown prince and heir apparent since 2017, is the kingdom's de facto day-to-day leader who has been transforming the country's economy, society, and religion. King Salman, 82 and in declining health, is increasingly a mere figurehead, albeit a diplomatically convenient one for Riyadh during the Jamal Khashoggi crisis. The royal orders sacking a key media advisor to MbS and four intelligence officials were issued in the king's name, though it is unclear how involved he was in the decision. The few princes who have managed to retain their prominence are either too old or too young to rival MbS, who has methodically sidelined a swath of royals in their 50s and 60s who likely once regarded themselves as future contenders for the throne. The Khashoggi affair has sparked speculation that the royal family may want to sideline or remove MbS because of his authoritarian style and perceived excesses. However, there is no visible evidence of this. MbS remains the kingdom's future. The writer is director of the Program on Gulf and Energy Policy at The Washington Institute.
2018-10-23 00:00:00
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