Mohammed bin Salman (MBS): The Crown Prince Transforming Saudi Arabia

👶 Early Life and Royal Lineage

Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud was born on August 31, 1985, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is commonly referred to by his initials, MBS, and is one of the most prominent leaders in the Middle East today.

🏰 Royal Family Background

MBS is the son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the 7th king of Saudi Arabia.
His mother is Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain, from a powerful tribal family in the Nejd region.
He is one of King Salman’s youngest sons but quickly became the most politically influential.

📚 Education

Received primary, secondary, and high school education in Riyadh.
Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in law from King Saud University, ranking among the top ten in his class.
Known for his strong analytical skills and a keen interest in business and governance from an early age.

🏛 Rise to Power: From Prince to Powerhouse

👨‍👦 Early Career and Political Grooming

Began his career as a personal aide to his father when Salman was Governor of Riyadh Province.
Gained extensive administrative experience over the years, learning the inner workings of Saudi bureaucracy.

🏗 Royal Court Appointments

2009: Appointed Special Advisor to the Chairman of the Council of Experts.
2013: Appointed Chief of the Crown Prince’s Court under his father.
2015: When King Salman assumed the throne, MBS was named:
- Minister of Defense
- Secretary General of the Royal Court
- Head of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA)

These positions gave him unprecedented control over Saudi Arabia’s defense, economy, and long-term policy planning.

👑 Crown Prince Appointment (2017): A Power Shift

In June 2017, MBS was appointed Crown Prince, replacing his cousin Mohammed bin Nayef in a bold and unprecedented royal shake-up.

🔁 Restructuring the Royal Succession

The move marked a significant power shift within the House of Saud.
MBS consolidated power across military, intelligence, and economic institutions.
Mohammed bin Nayef was reportedly placed under house arrest, signaling MBS’s authoritarian approach to internal rivals.

🎯 Vision 2030: The Blueprint for Saudi Arabia’s Future

In 2016, MBS unveiled Vision 2030, a sweeping strategic plan to diversify the kingdom’s oil-dependent economy and modernize its society.

🛢 Moving Beyond Oil

Reduce reliance on petroleum revenue.
Boost investment in renewable energy, tourism, entertainment, and technology.
Develop new sectors like mining, logistics, and digital infrastructure.

🌆 NEOM: The $500 Billion Mega-City

A proposed futuristic city called NEOM, spanning across Saudi, Jordanian, and Egyptian borders.
Promoted as a tech-driven utopia, featuring:
- Flying taxis 🚁
- AI-powered governance 🤖
- Zero-carbon infrastructure 🌿

🏢 Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)

MBS transformed the PIF into a global investment powerhouse.
Made high-profile investments in:
- Uber
- Lucid Motors
- SoftBank Vision Fund
- Newcastle United Football Club

🧕 Social Reforms: A Shift in Saudi Society

🚗 Women’s Rights

2018: Lifted the ban on women driving – a historic milestone.
Eased male guardianship laws, allowing women to:
- Travel abroad without male permission.
- Apply for passports.
- Register births and marriages.

🎥 Entertainment and Culture

Reintroduced cinemas, concerts, and public events for the first time in decades.
Hosted major international artists like Justin Bieber, Pitbull, and David Guetta.
Promoted sports tourism, including hosting:
- Formula 1 Grand Prix
- Boxing championships
- WWE events

🕌 Religious Reforms

Sought to curb the influence of the religious police.
Promoted a “moderate Islam” narrative.
Cracked down on extremist clerics and ideologies, though critics argue this also includes peaceful dissenters.

⚔ Foreign Policy and Geopolitical Strategy

🇾🇪 The Yemen Conflict

As Defense Minister, MBS launched Operation Decisive Storm in 2015, leading a Saudi coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
War led to:
- Tens of thousands of deaths.
- One of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
MBS faced international criticism for indiscriminate bombings, civilian casualties, and blockades.

🇶🇦 Qatar Blockade (2017–2021)

Led a regional blockade against Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and aligning too closely with Iran.
Severed diplomatic and economic ties.
The blockade was lifted in 2021, with Saudi Arabia restoring relations under MBS’s leadership.

🇮🇷 Tensions and Recent Rapprochement

MBS has long viewed Iran as Saudi Arabia’s biggest rival.
Supported maximum pressure campaigns alongside the U.S.
In 2023, China brokered a surprise peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, indicating a new diplomatic strategy.

💻 Digital Modernization and Tech Ambitions

Launched the Digital Government Authority to transform bureaucratic services.
Heavily investing in:
- Artificial Intelligence
- 5G infrastructure
- Cybersecurity

🏙 Smart Cities and Infrastructure

Projects like The Line (a linear smart city within NEOM) aim to showcase the future of urban living.
Claims include:
- No roads or cars.
- Fully renewable energy.
- Autonomous public transit.

⚖ Human Rights Record and Global Backlash

🩸 Jamal Khashoggi Assassination

In October 2018, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
U.S. intelligence concluded MBS had approved the operation.
Global outrage followed, including:
- Sanctions against Saudi officials.
- Calls for MBS to be held accountable.

👮‍♂️ Crackdown on Dissent

Imprisoned women’s rights activists, bloggers, and clerics.
Allegations of torture, secret trials, and forced disappearances.
Used surveillance and hacking to target dissidents abroad.

🤝 Relations with the United States and the West

🇺🇸 Strong Ties with Trump Administration

Enjoyed close relations with Donald Trump and Jared Kushner.
Secured major arms deals and political support during periods of controversy.

🇺🇸 Biden Administration’s Approach

Initially distanced itself from MBS.
Released CIA report on Khashoggi murder.
Over time, geopolitical realities (oil markets, Iran) forced renewed engagement.

🛢 OPEC+, Oil Politics, and Global Influence

MBS has positioned Saudi Arabia as a key player in global energy markets.
Leads OPEC+ coordination with Russia, maintaining high oil prices.
Balances economic needs with geopolitical leverage.

🧬 Personal Life and Public Image

Married to Princess Sara bint Mashour, with several children.
Keeps a low personal profile, though known for:
- Lavish spending (e.g., purchasing the $450M Leonardo da Vinci painting Salvator Mundi)
- Ownership of a $500M yacht and a French chateau.

🧠 Public Persona

Projects an image of a bold reformer, disruptor, and futurist.
Critics label him an autocrat using reform as a smokescreen for repression.

🔮 Future Outlook: King-in-Waiting

✅ Achievements

Modernized a conservative society in record time.
Made Saudi Arabia a global investment hub.
Diversified the economy more than any previous leader.
Strengthened regional and global diplomatic standing.

❌ Challenges Ahead

Balancing reform with repression.
Managing Vision 2030’s financial strain.
Addressing human rights pressure.
Ensuring stability and succession in a rapidly transforming kingdom.

👑 Crown to Throne?

While still Crown Prince, many analysts believe MBS already rules de facto.
A formal succession to the throne could be announced once King Salman, now in his late 80s, passes or abdicates.

📌 Final Thoughts

Mohammed bin Salman is reshaping Saudi Arabia for the 21st century—economically, socially, and diplomatically. Whether his legacy is that of a visionary reformer or a ruthless strongman will depend on how he balances modernization with freedom and accountability in the years ahead.