In the heart of the Middle East, where power and tradition are deeply intertwined, one man has taken the reins of a nation known for its strict adherence to conservative values and its enormous wealth from oil. Mohammed bin Salman, commonly known as MBS, is the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. According to BBC insiders, his rise to power has been nothing short of dramatic, involving bold decisions, ruthless tactics and a vision to transform his kingdom.
Midnight plans
In the quiet corridors of power in Riyadh, as Saudi Arabia prepared for a momentous transition in 2015, a young prince, hardly known outside his kingdom’s borders at the time, was already laying the foundations for a major change. But MBS, who was only 29 at the time, harbored greater ambition. After the death of King Abdullah, his father Salman was set to ascend the throne. And it was here that MBS saw an opportunity to reshape Saudi Arabia – and his own role in it.
Anticipating potential threats from within the family, MBS acted decisively. One night, he summoned a senior security official, Saad al-Jabri, to the palace for a secret meeting. Both men left their mobile phones outside the room, and MBS also disconnected the landline to ensure complete secrecy.
Vision 2030
During this tense meeting, which lasted late into the night, MBS presented his ambitious vision for Saudi Arabia (known as Vision 2030). He believed that Saudi Arabia, long known for its conservative values and dependence on oil, needed to wake up from its “deep sleep” and take its place on the global stage. His plan included selling a stake in Aramco, the world’s most profitable company, to speed up the country’s economic transformation.
He also aimed to invest billions of dollars in technology startups such as Uber and bring millions of Saudi women into the workforce, creating six million new jobs. The plan also included bold initiatives such as the development of the futuristic city of NEOM and investments in tourism. These reforms were later widely praised as essential steps to bring Saudi Arabia into the 21st century.
‘Have you heard of Alexander the Great?’
When Jabari, astounded by MBS’s great vision, asked about the scope of his ambitions, the young prince replied simply, “Have you heard of Alexander the Great?” It was clear that MBS saw himself as a leader who would make history.
According to insiders, it was a short meeting that lasted three hours. By the time Jabari left, he had missed several calls from worried colleagues. This midnight conversation marked the beginning of a new era for Saudi Arabia, shaped by the rise of MBS.
Plot to kill the king?
In 2014, MBS was keen to succeed his father as king. He reportedly suggested killing his uncle using a poisoned ring from Russia. Saad al-Jabri claimed in an interview with the BBC that he had seen a secret video of MBS discussing this idea. It is unclear whether MBS was serious or just joking. After this, MBS was not allowed to attend royal meetings and shake hands with the king for some time. Eventually, King Abdullah died of natural causes, and his brother Salman became king in 2015 and MBS was appointed defense minister and deputy crown prince.
As MBS’s father, King Salman, grew weaker, the crown prince took de facto control of Saudi Arabia. MBS has begun implementing ambitious plans, but according to a BBC report, his regime has also been accused of human rights abuses, including suppressing freedom of expression, using the death penalty and jailing women’s rights activists.
Saad al-Jabri revealed in an exclusive interview with the BBC that MBS has a tendency to act impulsively, often ignoring the advice of others. The senior official revealed that the ruler has a vision for Saudi Arabia, but his methods are often reckless and defy traditional decision-making processes.
Yemen War
One such example is the Yemen war. In 2015, MBS led a group of Gulf countries into a war against the Houthi movement in Yemen. He saw the Houthis as being backed by Saudi Arabia’s rival Iran. The war created a huge humanitarian crisis, leaving millions at risk of starvation. A former British ambassador, Sir John Jenkins, said it was not a smart decision. The US military had only 12 hours’ notice of the war, which is very unusual.
MBS forged his father’s signature
Jabari also claims that MBS forged his father’s signature on a royal order to send in ground troops, despite warnings from the Americans. Saad al-Jabri claims he discussed this with the White House before the Yemen war began. He says Susan Rice, an adviser to President Obama, warned him that the US would only support air strikes, not ground troops. But Jabari says MBS ignored the US and forged his father’s signature to send in ground troops. Jabari’s source was someone he trusted, who was connected to the interior ministry.
Murder of Jamal Khashoggi
One of the darkest chapters of MBS’s rule is the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Khashoggi, a vocal critic of MBS, was killed by a 15-member assassination squad inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. These men were travelling on diplomatic passports and many of them were part of MBS’s personal security team, making the crown prince’s role in the murder difficult to rule out. Khashoggi’s body has never been found and is believed to have been dismembered with a bone saw.
While MBS has always denied direct involvement, he admitted in 2019 that as the country’s leader, he is “responsible” for the crime. However, a declassified US intelligence report released in February 2021 stated that MBS was possibly complicit in the killing. Following this, people close to MBS noticed a change in his behaviour. The crown prince was reportedly surprised by the global reaction following the killing. A former US diplomat who met MBS after the incident said the prince called the killing a “huge mistake” and insisted he had not authorized it.
In 2017, MBS spent $450 million on a famous painting called Salvator Mundi. The painting is of Jesus Christ and has been missing for almost seven years. Some say it is stored in Geneva, and MBS plans to display it in a future museum in Riyadh.
MBS’s plans for sports are also ambitious, with Saudi Arabia bidding to host the FIFA World Cup and investing in tennis and golf tournaments. Some call it “sportswashing”, but MBS wants to show his power and make Saudi Arabia great.
MBS’s father, King Salman, is now 88. Sooner or later, MBS will rule Saudi Arabia for decades.