Saudi King Chooses New Prime Minister
(ConservativeHub.com) – Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest producer of oil, making it a key player in world economics and an ally most nations want to befriend. Currently, King Salman bin Abdulaziz officially rules the kingdom. However, at 86, he’s chosen to make his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country’s prime minister.
On Tuesday, September 27, a royal decree announced the new prime minister, although the king will continue to chair the government’s cabinet meetings. The Crown Prince, commonly referred to by his initials, MBS, has already been running much of the country, but this announcement further cements his leadership role. He’s the leader behind Vision 2030, the nation’s plan to minimize its dependence on oil, reboot the economy through diversity, privatization, and investing, and rekindle itself as the center of Islam.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Tuesday named his powerful son and heir Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as prime minister, a position previously held by the king. https://t.co/mkrFqb2BNF
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 28, 2022
However, MBS has become somewhat controversial after the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The liberal critic entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul but didn’t come out alive. According to the Washington Post, CIA sources claimed they linked MBS to the death through his brother, Khalid, the Saudi Ambassador to the US at the time. A New York Times report detailed that many US officials believe the Crown Prince likely ordered the killing.
While MBS’ day-to-day life may not change much with this new appointment, this move solidifies his role as the future leader of this major world player.
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