King Salman of Saudi Arabia has made his son, Mohammed bin Salman, next in line to the throne.
Mohammed has replaced his cousin Prince Mohammed bin Nayef as crown prince, "removing any doubt of how succession plans will unfold following the reign of King Salman, now 81", says Bloomberg.
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 Crown Prince is "often charming in person, but analysts say his rapid rise has also created friction within the ruling family and made Saudi policy less predictable than in recent decades", says Reuters.
Who is Prince Mohammed?
Widely known by his initials MbS, Mohammed is Salman's youngest son and a favourite among his 13 children.
According to the Daily Telegraph, he "is an ambitious and aggressive reformer who hopes to transform his country's economy and lead it to a more assertive position on the world stage".
Like many Saudis of his generation, adds the paper, the Crown Prince is in favour of somewhat easing Saudi Arabia's strict social laws and "also sees a broader role for women in Saudi society".
What will change?
Bloomberg says the move suggests a "harder foreign policy line for Saudi Arabia in a region fraught with instability".
Prince Mohammed played a key role in the recent diplomatic offensive against Qatar, as well as pressing ahead with the war in Yemen.
He has also taken a hard line on Iran, saying in a television interview last month that dialogue with the Shiite power was impossible because it sought to take control of the Islamic world.
"We are a primary target for the Iranian regime," he told the New York Times, accusing Tehran of seeking to take over Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia, which is home to Mecca and Medina.
"We won't wait for the battle to be in Saudi Arabia. Instead, we'll work so that the battle is for them in Iran."
"The elevation of Mohammed Bin Salman to the Crown Prince will likely mean minimal change to oil production policy but could bring more aggressive foreign policy moves that bring back the political risk premium," said a research note published by RBC Capital Markets.
-
Eel-egal trade: the world’s most lucrative wildlife crime?Under the Radar Trafficking of juvenile ‘glass’ eels from Europe to Asia generates up to €3bn a year but the species is on the brink of extinction
-
Political cartoons for November 2Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include the 22nd amendment, homeless camps, and more
-
The dazzling coral gardens of Raja AmpatThe Week Recommends Region of Indonesia is home to perhaps the planet’s most photogenic archipelago.
-
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
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
Israel-US 'rift': is Trump losing patience with Netanyahu?Today's Big Question US president called for an end to Gaza war and negotiated directly with Hamas to return American hostage, amid rumours of strained relations
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
