Introduction to Saudi Arabia and its Leadership

Overview of Regimes in the Middle East

• All regimes require specialists in coercion, money, and persuasion.

• The Middle East exhibits a complex relationship with power dynamics, notably with recent ties to Russia and China.

Mohammed bin Salman (MBS)

• MBS is the crown prince and the real power in Saudi Arabia since 2017.

  • Displaced King’s nephew, Mohammed bin Nayef, to become crown prince.

  • Became prime minister in 2022, although he wielded significant power earlier.

• MBS is part of a large family (20,000 members of the House of Saud) with only about 2,000 holding significant power and wealth.

• He is relatively young for a leader and has a law degree from King Saud University.

• Claims of nepotism surround his educational achievements and professional ascent.

• Has a troubling personal life, including allegations of domestic abuse.

Political Structure

• Secret Police and Control Mechanisms

  • MBS relies on the Mabahid (secret police) for enforcing regime policies.

  • The Mabahid also includes religious police enforcing strict interpretations of Wahhabism, the dominant Sunni school in Saudi Arabia.

• Religious Context

  • Sunni and Shia Islam have historical divisions dating back to a succession crisis.

  • Wahhabism is known for its puritanical views and strict adherence to Islamic law, impacting societal norms (e.g., prohibitions on alcohol and Valentine’s Day).

Repression and Human Rights Issues

• MBS’s regime employs a harsh approach to dissent.

  • Example: A Saudi mother was sentenced to 31 years for a critical tweet.

• Jamal Khashoggi Incident (2018)

  • Khashoggi, a journalist and critic of MBS, was murdered by the Tiger Squad at the Saudi consulate in Turkey.

  • His murder highlighted the lengths the regime would go to silence dissent, even against an individual with legal residency in the US.

International Relations and Actions

• MBS’s regime has faced scrutiny for various international and human rights issues:

  • Involvement in the Yemen crisis leading to widespread humanitarian issues, including hunger and malnutrition.

  • Coordination of oil policies with Russia despite geopolitical tensions.

  • Allegations of hacking into Jeff Bezos's phone.

Economic and Infrastructure Initiatives

• MBS has initiated some reforms aimed at modernization:

  • Allowing women to drive and attend concerts, signaling slight progress in social policy within the constraints of a conservative regime.

  • Promoted The Line, a futuristic mega-project aiming to reshape urban living in Saudi Arabia, though financial stability and feasibility have been concerns.

Historical Context of Monarchical Power

• Comparison to historical monarchs like Louis XIII of France.

  • Louis XIII’s need for supporters after a bankrupt treasury and his strategy to create a new aristocracy by promoting individuals based on merit in the military.

  • MBS’s strategy involves consolidating power, eliminating rivals, and redistributing wealth to ensure loyalty from supporters.

Military Regimes

• Lowest lifespan among regime types, often triggering coups when military interests are threatened.

  • Example: Ghana's overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah’s government due to perceived threats from his ties to the Soviet Union.

  • Example: Augusto Pinochet's coup in Chile against Salvador Allende, illustrating conflicts over ruling class interests.