Analysis In Saudi Arabia, Liberalism and Openness Is Now an Order
Mohammad Bin Salman understands very well the social and religious implications of his vision of liberalization. His new Public Taste law is doing little to curb critics' fears
Mohammed bin Salman
Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was born August 31, 1985. He is the youngest defense minister in the world and is the first in line to the throne. He was appointed Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in June, 2017, following his father's decision to remove Muhammad bin Nayef from all positions. He is also serving as first deputy prime minister, president of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs.
In 2016, Prince Mohammed introduced "Vision 2030," which is aimed at making the kingdom the heart of the Arab and Islamic world, an investment powerhouse and a hub connecting three continents. It seeks to diversify and privatize the economy, making it less reliant on oil.
One of bin Salman's most notable reforms was the removal of the ban on female drivers.
Opinion In a Warming World, Is Aramco Worth a Cool $2 Trillion?
Probably not, but Saudi investors are being given a compelling case to pony up for the oil giant’s stock at whatever price the crown prince wants
Saudi Arabia Formally Starts Long-awaited, 'World's Largest' IPO of State-run Oil Firm
In Aramco's first-ever half-year results, it reported income of $46.8 billion. Yet analysts say a $2 trillion valuation — Apple and Microsoft separately for instance are $1 trillion — may be a stretch
Pentagon Chief Visits Saudi Arabia as Tensions Simmer With Iran
On first visit to the Middle Eastern country since taking office, Esper attempts to push back against growing Russian influence in the region, according to a senior official
Analysis Saudi Arabia Recognizes Its Weakness and Is Ready to Talk to the Iranian Foe
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has suffered a raft of regional failures, may have to cut his losses by negotiating with the great Shi’ite enemy
Analysis Anti-Iran Alliance Falters as Netanyahu, Trump and MBS Focus on Their Own Predicaments
A year and half after Trump pulled out from the nuclear accord, the U.S. president is courting Rohani, Netanyahu is entangled in his legal woes and the Saudi crown prince is leading a feeble policy
Criticism of Saudi Crown Prince Among Ruling Elite Grows After Attack on Oil Facilities
Mohammad bin Salman's campaign in Yemen, hard line on Iran and efforts to consolidate control have ruffled feathers among the Kingdom's royal family and elites
On Anniversary of Khashoggi's Murder, Supporters Outside Saudi Consulate Call for Justice
Intelligence sources say top royal adviser Saud al-Qahtani oversaw killing of Washington Post columnist by giving orders to operatives in Istanbul via Skype
Saudi Prince Seeks to Dodge Blame for Khashoggi Killing, UN Investigator Says
MBS may have said he bears 'full responsibility' for the dissident journalist's death, but continues to insist that 'layers and layers' of hierarchy separate him from it
'We Are a People of Hospitality': Saudi Arabia Unveils New Visas in Effort to Boost Tourism
The kingdom's new visa scheme is part of attempts to open up the country, a move that will allow foreigners to visit solely for the purpose of tourism for the first time
In First Public Comment on Khashoggi's Murder, MBS Admits It 'Happened Under My Watch'
Mohammed bin Salman breaks silence on gruesome killing of dissident journalist in a PBS documentary slated to air next week
Opinion What Saudi Arabia's MBS and WeWork's Adam Neumann Have in Common
The Saudi crown prince is gonna make you a share offering you can’t refuse — and that’s the start of the problem
Twitter Suspends Disgraced Saudi Royal Adviser Embroiled in Khashoggi Affair
Saud al-Qahtani, who had also overseen a pro-Israel PR campaign in the kingdom, is said to still wield considerable influence ■ Other pro-Saudi accounts also removed
Saudi Princess Ordered Beating of Worker in Paris, French Court Finds
Crown prince's sister found complicit in threatening and kidnapping worker, who said her bodyguard bound and beat him before forcing him to kiss her feet
Saudi Arabia's MBS Hosts Delegation of U.S. Evangelical Leaders on Eve of 9/11 Anniversary
U.S.-Israeli leading visit urges lawmakers to 'see the reforms the crown prince is making' as the Kingdom attempts to improve its image post-Khashoggi's murder
In Last Words, Slain Journalist Khashoggi Asked Killers Not to Suffocate Him
Transcript published in Turkey's Sabah newspaper gives more precise details of the journalist's last moments at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul
Saudi Arabia, One of the World's Biggest Arms Importers, Launches Its Own Defense Industry
Saudi Arabia will now license companies to manufacture firearms, ammunition, military explosives, military equipment, individual military equipment, and military electronics
Sudan's Bashir Charged With Corruption, Holding Illicit Foreign Currency
Ousted Sudanese president says he received $25 million from MBS, as well as funds from other sources, but that he didn't use the money for his own benefit
Saudis May Have Hailed 'Historic' Reform, but Women's Rights Can Still Be Thwarted by Male Relatives
Despite new developments, male relatives can still file cases of disobedience and absence from home against women – a crime in the kingdom
Muslims Call to #Boycotthajj in Protest of Saudi Human Rights Violations
Online movement urging believers to opt out of annual pilgrimage slammed by Saudi officials as 'unwise' and 'malicious'
Analysis In Saudi Arabia, Women's Rights Are Used to Sweep Murder Under the Rug
Mohammed bin Salman decided to allow women to travel abroad without the permission of a male guardian to polish his image with the West. But how will the new law really affect the kingdom’s harsh and patriarchal customs?
Explained Old Habits Die Hard: Saudi Arabia Struggles to End Oil Addiction
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's goal to ensure his country wouldn't be 'at the mercy of commodity price volatility or external markets' looks set to be missed
Saudi Changes Allow Women to Travel Without Male Consent
Other changes issued in the decrees allow women to register a marriage, divorce or child's birth, and be issued family documents, but women still need permission to leave prison, exit a domestic abuse shelter or marry
Facebook Says It Dismantled Covert Influence Campaign Tied to Saudi Government
Social media giant claims it suspended more than 350 accounts and pages with about 1.4 million followers that promoted state propaganda and attack Riyadh's regional rivals
Opinion Saudi Arabia’s Vicious Troll Army Has a New Target: Palestinians
When Saudi Arabia's most fanatical pro-Israel influencer was kicked out of Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque this week, it was a propaganda gift for the kingdom's anti-Palestinian trolls, tasked with pushing normalization with Israel at all costs
Saudi Arabia’s Hometown Ambitions Could Clip Wealth Fund's Wings
If foreign investments do not materialize, major domestic projects in the country risk being delayed or scaled back, sources say
Toyota Snub Dents Saudi Arabia’s Manufacturing Drive
High labor costs and a lack of local supplies discouraged the Japanese; Riyadh must now look elsewhere for a partner
Analysis Egypt's Sissi Had No Time to Kill ex-President Morsi – He Has a Few Countries to Run
Could deposed leader's courtroom death be Cairo's Khashoggi affair?
‘Joints Will Be Separated’: Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder, Retold
New UN report calls for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior Saudi officials to be investigated over their liability for Khashoggi's death
Overruling His Experts, Pompeo Keeps Saudis Off U.S. Child Soldiers List
Instead of adding Saudi Arabia to the list, Sudan will be reinstated after being removed last year, three of the sources said