Saudi Arabia Eyes Billions of Dollars in Entertainment Investments
Reforms aim to capture a portion of the $20 billion currently spent overseas every year by Saudis seeking entertainment
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.
Turkey Planning International Investigation Into Khashoggi Murder
'We see how those who spoke of freedom of press are now covering this up after seeing money,' says Turkish official
Saudi Cleric Dies After Five Months in Prison for Dissent
Ahmed al-Amari, who previously served as a dean at Islamic University in Medina, was arrested in August in crackdown on people believed to be close to a religious scholar who published a book critical of the Saudi royal family
U.S.-Saudi Relations Can't Move Forward Until MBS 'Dealt With,' Senator Graham Says
After meeting with Turkey's Erdogan, Republican Senator vowed further sanctions over the Khashoggi case, but gave no specifics concerning Saudi crown prince
Analysis A Runaway Teen Scored a Victory Over Saudi Crown Prince. But She's Not Free Yet
Saudi women are quietly rebelling against the kingdom on Facebook and Twitter. But even on social media, there are people who monitor, threaten, smear or arrest them
Adviser Fired Over Involvement in Khashoggi Murder Remains Active in Saudi Court, Sources Say
Saud al-Qahtani, who has previously raised eyebrows for his influence in the kingdom, was dismissed as a top aid to the crown prince. Investigators say he gave Skype orders to the team inside the Saudi consulate
Pompeo in Riyadh: Saudis Assured Me of Accountability for Khashoggi Murder
Pompeo told reporters he had also raised a number of human rights issues with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, including women’s rights activists who have been detained and allegedly tortured for months
Dozens of Private Jets Stranded in Saudi Airports After Corruption Crackdown
Saudi Arabian government says it aims to seize more than $100 billion in cash or assets
Pompeo to Seek Update on Khashoggi Murder Trial in Upcoming Saudi Arabia Visit
A Saudi court recently held first hearing, in which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for five of 11 suspects in the case ■ Visit is part of U.S. secretary of state's Mideast tour, which will not include a stop in Israel
Saudi Arabia to Seek Death Penalty for Five Suspects Involved in Khashoggi Murder
11 suspects, some of whom are part of the Crown Prince Mohammad's entourage, appeared in their first court hearing for the murder of the dissident journalist by which the prosecution has requested evidence from Turkish investigators
Saudi Arabia to Build Entertainment Complex After Decades of Curbing Leisure Activities
Center will be developed in Riyadh by a company operating under kingdom's wealth fund and will feature sports activities, live shows, restaurants and cinemas
Netflix Bows to Saudi Arabia, Pulls 'Patriot Act' Episode on Khashoggi
In the episode, Hasan Minhaj called for the U.S. to 'evaluate its relationship with Saudi Arabia' in light of the murder
Analysis Sing All You Want, but Don't Dare Drive: How an Arab Singer Evoked the Wrath of Her Saudi Female Fans
Saudi women are furious with Ahlam Alshamsi, whose decision to nix concerts in the kingdom tells a bigger story about feminism and double standards in the Middle East
Saudi Arabia Taps New Foreign Minister in Attempt to Improve Image After Khashoggi's Murder
Kingdom is still trying to recover from the scandal caused by the dissident journalist's killing: King Salman reshuffles government, launches Saudi space agency
Executions in Saudi Arabia Have Doubled Under Crown Prince, Watchdog Says
Number of executions between June 2017 and March 2018 was 133, compared to 67 in preceding eight months before Crown Prince Mohammed was installed, reports Reprieve; nearly half of those executed in 2018 were foreign nationals
Little Room to Maneuver as Saudi Arabia Slows Drive to Cut Deficit
With unemployment among Saudis at a record 12.9%, creating jobs is becoming increasingly important to justify reforms launched over two years ago by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Western Tourists Trickle Into Saudi Arabia as It Tries to Open Up Its Society
Thousands of fans flocked to Riyadh’s historic Diriyah district for Formula E, a motor sports tournament using electric vehicles, and concerts including by David Guetta and The Black Eyed Peas
Car Races, Flashy Concerts and Zero Criticism: A Look at Saudi Crown Prince's Reform
'The most popular guy' in Riyadh may be widening the arena for fun, but under him the space for dissent has disappeared – as Khashoggi's death proves
Saudi-Israel Backchannel Takes Hit After Officials Dismissed Over Khashoggi Murder, Report Says
Two of MBS' close aides allegedly led covert efforts to improve ties between Jerusalem and Riyadh, but sources tell WSJ their involvement in killing of dissident journalist 'dampened appetite for risky foreign policy endeavors'
Media NGO: Violence Against Journalists Hits Unprecedented Levels in 2018
At least 63 professional journalists around the world were killed doing their jobs in 2018 – a 15% increase over last year, says report
Saudi Arabia Slams the U.S. for 'Interference' and 'Disrespect' of Its Leadership
Saudi Arabia responded on Monday to U.S. Senate resolutions calling for an end to U.S. military support for the war in Yemen and blaming Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi
Analysis Mohammed Bin Salman's Woes Might Prove to Be Yemen's Savior
To Trump and Netanyahu, punishing Saudi Arabia means rewarding Iran and harming a vital ally in the anti-Tehran alliance. But peace has the U.S. Congress on its side
WATCH On Fox News, Kushner Ignores the CIA and Glosses Over Saudi Crown Prince's Connections to Khashoggi Murder
Kushner 'advised' Saudi crown prince after Khashoggi killing reported the New York Times this week
U.S. Senate to Consider Resolution Condemning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman
CIA Director Gina Haspel will hold a classified briefing on the Khashoggi case for House leaders and the heads of national security committees on Wednesday
Yemen's Saudi-backed Government Rejects UN Troops in Hodeidah City
Control of Hodeidah, the Houthis' main supply line, is one of the trickiest issues at the talks in Sweden, aimed at paving the way for a political process to end nearly four years of war
Saudis Rule Out Extraditing Suspects in Khashoggi Case
Turkish officials said last week that the prosecutor's office had concluded there was 'strong suspicion' that Saud al-Qahtani, a top aide to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
'I Can't Breathe' Saudi Journalist Khashoggi's Last Words Revealed
Quoting a source who said they had read the full translated transcript of an audio recording, CNN said that Khashoggi recognized one of the men, General Maher Mutreb, who told him: 'You are coming back'
Trump Admin. Wants to Continue Support for Saudi-led Coalition in Yemen
The Senate last month voted to advance a resolution to end U.S. military support, which includes arms sales and intelligence sharing
Report: Israel Authorized NSO's Sale of Spyware to Saudi Arabia
Former U.S. officials tell the Washington Post that Israel approved the transaction in return for Riyadh's discreet support for the Israeli struggle against Iran ■ Deal reportedly made through NSO's affiliate Q Cyber that is located in Luxembourg
Turkey Issues Arrest Warrant for Top MBS Aide Over Saudi Journalist's Murder
Move comes a day after senior U.S. senators said they were more certain than ever that Saudi Arabia's crown prince MBS was responsible for the killing