Saudi prince consolidates power in ‘Arabian game of thrones’

In Depth: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrests dozens of government officials and fellow royals in purported anti-corruption sweep

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
(Image credit: Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images)

The young crown prince and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman made an audacious but risky power play this weekend, arresting 11 princes, four ministers and several dozen others while simultaneously accusing Iran of an “act of war”.

Prominent millionaire investor Alwaleed bin Talal is among those being held - a move not unlike the US “arresting Warren Buffett or Bill Gates”, diplomat Robert Jordan, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told CNBC.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

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.

Sign up