Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has positioned himself at the center of two significant global crises, meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh to discuss the future of Gaza and the ongoing Ukraine war. The following day, discussions took place between Russian and American officials in the Saudi capital.
On Friday, Saudi Arabia is set to host Arab officials to strategize the reconstruction of Gaza, highlighting the kingdom's emerging role in international diplomacy. This development underscores Crown Prince Mohammed's ambition to solidify his status as a global power player.
The crown prince, known as M.B.S., has experienced a remarkable turnaround in his diplomatic standing following accusations of human rights abuses, including the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which he has denied.
In 2016, Prince Mohammed introduced Vision 2030, a plan aimed at diversifying Saudi Arabia's economy away from oil dependence. This initiative included increasing private employment among Saudis, particularly women, attracting foreign investment, and privatizing state-owned enterprises like Saudi Aramco.
To implement these economic reforms, the crown prince initiated significant social changes, such as lifting the ban on women driving and hosting high-profile investment conferences to attract global investors.
However, his consolidation of power included controversial measures, such as the 2017 detainment of elite figures under the guise of a corruption crackdown, which critics labeled a power grab. The crown prince asserted that these actions were necessary to enhance investor confidence.
Regionally, Prince Mohammed has sought to counter Iran's influence through military interventions, including leading a coalition in Yemen against Houthi forces. However, these efforts have led to significant civilian casualties and ongoing conflict.
The assassination of Khashoggi in 2018 drew widespread condemnation, with U.S. intelligence concluding that the crown prince was involved. Despite this, he maintained strong ties with the Trump administration, which praised him as a vital ally in the Middle East.
Relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia fluctuated, with President Biden initially distancing himself from the crown prince but later engaging due to geopolitical developments, including the impact of the Ukraine war on global oil prices.
The crown prince has also been involved in regional peace efforts, navigating complex relationships with both Israel and Arab states. A recent proposal by Trump to transfer control of Gaza to the U.S. was promptly rejected by Saudi Arabia, which insists on establishing a Palestinian state as a prerequisite for normalization with Israel.
As Saudi Arabia continues to mediate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it has positioned itself as a key intermediary on the global stage, further enhancing Crown Prince Mohammed's influence beyond the Middle East.