New Delhi: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud has appointed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Crown Prince MBS) as the country’s new Prime Minister (PM). Before this, Abdul Aziz Al Khud was holding the post of Prime Minister. At the same time, Prince Khalid bin Salman will be Saudi Arabia’s new defense minister. No reason has been given for this sudden power change in Saudi. Currently, King Salman will continue to chair all cabinet meetings.
King Salman’s replacement as prime minister by Mohammed bin Salman is in many ways special to Saudi Arabia, due to his efforts to build the country’s liberal image, the effects of which have continued since he became crown prince in 2017. Mohammed bin Salman has taken several such decisions in the past few years, which has also made him a target for extremists.
Since becoming crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman has played an important role in Saudi Arabia’s domestic and foreign affairs, but it is believed that sitting in the prime minister’s chair will allow him to exercise his power more effectively. Currently, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest exporter of oil, oversees matters related to oil, defense, economic policy and internal security.
The international aspect of MBS becoming PM
John Alterman, director of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told the South China Morning Post that MBS becoming prime minister would not bring about any major policy changes in the state. Alterman further stated that there is also an international dimension to handing over the post of prime minister of the country rather than waiting for the crown prince to become the next king. Mohammed bin Salman has been working to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s international relations since becoming crown prince.
It also had an impact when US President Joe Biden became the host of a 2022 visit to Saudi Arabia despite the alleged killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in 2018. Apart from this, Mohammed bin Salman is taking many steps to strengthen relations with many major countries including India. A ‘modern’ era at the center of Islam The rise of Mohammed bin Salman will mark the beginning of a modern era for Saudi Arabia, the so-called center of Islam in the world.
In fact, Saudi Arabia is an Islamic nation and follows Sharia law, which is why there are some restrictions on many such things, including women’s freedom, which have been officially relaxed for the first time by Mohammed bin Salman. However, Mohammed bin Salman has also been criticized for flouting centuries of sanctions in Saudi Arabia. At times, southern activists and businessmen even demonstrated against his decisions, but this did not affect Mohammed bin Salman’s open-minded decisions.
MBS’s Vision 2030
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced Vision 2030 along with his new vision for Saudi Arabia. Through this, the Crown Prince wants to prepare Saudi Arabia for the future and spread the country’s economic dependence on oil to more areas. Part of this is Mohammed bin Salman’s strengthening of international ties, through which he is trying to make Saudi Arabia the first choice of investors.
Looking to the future, Mohammed bin Salman has also announced his own city, Neom, which will be fully equipped with modern facilities. The special thing is that it will be 170 kilometers long and only 200 meters wide. There is no such city anywhere else not only in Saudi Arabia, but in the entire world.
Mohammed bin Salman accused of murder
While on the one hand, Mohammad bin Salman has increasing responsibilities to advance Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, the accusation of murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is also tarnishing his hands. In fact, in October 2018, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated in Istanbul. Jamal Khashoggi was also said to be a critic of Mohammed bin Salman. Mohammed bin Salman was accused of Jamal’s murder. And from time to time there were many claims linking the murder of the Saudi journalist to Mohammed bin Salman. It is being said that the Saudi journalist was killed on the orders of Mohammed bin Salman.