Mohammed bin Salman

Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (Arabic: محمد بن سلمان آل سعود, romanized: Muḥammad bin Salmān Āl Suʿūd; born August 31, 1985), commonly referred to by his initials MBS or MbS, is the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, and the designated heir to the throne. He is the seventh son of King Salman of Saudi Arabia and a grandson of the nation's founder, King Abdulaziz.

Mohammed is the first child of Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz and his third wife, Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain. He earned a law degree from King Saud University before starting his career as an advisor to his father. In 2015, following his father's ascension to the throne, Mohammed was appointed Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense. In 2017, he was promoted to Crown Prince, and in 2022, he assumed the role of Prime Minister.

Since becoming Crown Prince in 2017, Mohammed has spearheaded numerous social and economic reforms. These reforms have included reducing the influence of the Wahhabi religious establishment by limiting the powers of the religious police, and enhancing women's rights, such as lifting the ban on female drivers in 2018 and weakening the male guardianship system in 2019. His Saudi Vision 2030 initiative aims to diversify the Saudi economy by reducing its dependence on oil through investments in sectors like technology and tourism. Although these efforts have led to greater economic diversification, the economy remains heavily reliant on oil.

Under Mohammed's leadership, Saudi Arabia has started to align its energy policies with Russia and has strengthened its relations with China.

Mohammed bin Salman was born in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. He is the eldest son of King Salman’s third wife, Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain. Growing up in a prominent and influential family, MBS was exposed to the intricacies of governance and politics from an early age. He received his primary, secondary, and high school education in Riyadh, where he was known to be a diligent and ambitious student.

After completing his secondary education, MBS pursued higher education at King Saud University, one of the leading universities in the country. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in law. His academic background in law provided him with a solid foundation in legal principles, governance, and administrative affairs, which would later prove invaluable in his political career.

Mohammed bin Salman’s political career began in earnest when he was appointed as a special advisor to his father, then-Governor of Riyadh, in 2009. This role allowed him to gain firsthand experience in governance and public administration. His influence grew rapidly as his father rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Crown Prince in 2012 and King in 2015.

In 2015, MBS was appointed as Minister of Defense, making him one of the youngest defense ministers in the world at the age of 30. In this role, he led the Saudi military intervention in Yemen, which has been a contentious and prolonged conflict. Despite criticisms over the humanitarian impact of the war, MBS maintained that the intervention was necessary to counter Iranian influence in the region.

In June 2017, King Salman appointed MBS as Crown Prince, replacing his cousin, Mohammed bin Nayef. This marked a significant shift in the Saudi line of succession and consolidated MBS’s power. As Crown Prince, he launched the Vision 2030 initiative, a comprehensive plan aimed at transforming the Saudi economy and reducing its dependence on oil. The plan includes ambitious projects such as the construction of NEOM, a futuristic mega-city, and the development of the entertainment and tourism sectors.

MBS has also spearheaded significant social reforms. Under his leadership, Saudi Arabia has seen the lifting of the ban on women driving, the re-opening of cinemas, and the hosting of public concerts and sporting events. These changes are part of a broader effort to modernize Saudi society and attract foreign investment.

Mohammed bin Salman’s legacy is still in the making, but his impact on Saudi Arabia is already profound. His Vision 2030 plan represents a bold attempt to transform the country’s economic and social landscape. If successful, it could reduce the kingdom’s reliance on oil, create new jobs, and modernize the economy. The social reforms he has introduced have also been significant, challenging traditional norms and expanding freedoms for women and youth.

However, MBS’s tenure has been marred by controversies and criticisms. The military intervention in Yemen has led to a humanitarian crisis, with widespread suffering and displacement. The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 drew international condemnation and tarnished MBS’s image globally. Despite these controversies, he remains a powerful and influential figure in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

Looking to the future, MBS faces the challenge of balancing his ambitious reform agenda with the conservative elements of Saudi society. Economic diversification will require sustained effort and investment, and the social changes he has initiated will need to be carefully managed to avoid backlash. Additionally, improving Saudi Arabia’s international reputation and addressing human rights concerns will be crucial for attracting foreign investment and achieving the goals of Vision 2030.

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