Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz has announced new heirs to the throne in a surprise reshuffle, which puts his nephew in place to succeed him.
This marks the first time a grandson, rather than a son, of King Abdulaziz al-Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, has been crown prince. Such a move constitutes a "political earthquake of the greatest magnitude", said Khalil Jahshan, the executive director for the Arab Centre of Washington.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"The Saudi Arabia we knew a few hours ago is no longer," he told Al Jazeera. "These are serious changes that will have repercussions not only domestically but also internationally."
The appointment of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef is likely to please Washington, the BBC reports. As the country's security chief, he is well known for his ruthless response to Islamist militants, having survived an assassination attempt by al-Qaeda in 2009.
Salman took over control of the country after the death of King Abdullah in January. This latest move shows that he is "shifting further away from the legacy" of his half-brother, says the New York Times. Prince Muqrin was a close ally of Abdullah's and is one of many being pushed aside by the new king.
It is also likely to draw intense scrutiny from within the Arab kingdom, where the many "branches of the sprawling royal family" fight for positions leading to the throne, the newspaper says.
-
Political cartoons for November 27Cartoons Thursday's political cartoons include giving thanks, speaking American, and more
-
We Did OK, Kid: Anthony Hopkins’ candid memoir is a ‘page-turner’The Week Recommends The 87-year-old recounts his journey from ‘hopeless’ student to Oscar-winning actor
-
The Mushroom Tapes: a compelling deep dive into the trial that gripped AustraliaThe Week Recommends Acclaimed authors team up for a ‘sensitive and insightful’ examination of what led a seemingly ordinary woman to poison four people
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
-
Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
