Posted on 05/01/2016 6:52:14 PM PDT by jazusamo
Saudi Arabia’s power behind the throne just took a big step into the spotlight.
Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the ambitious, impatient 30-year-old grandson of King Salman, last week was the public face for the launch of “Saudi Vision 2030,” a long-term blueprint designed to steer the kingdom’s economy through a brave new world of falling oil prices and rising competition.
The plan marked just the latest move by the prince to put his stamp on the country’s economic, diplomatic and strategic agenda, emerging as the royal to watch as the Saudi ruling family tries to deal with a host of domestic and international challenges, including a newly empowered Iran and a newly skeptical Washington.
Regional analysts and American intelligence sources say the young heir has already wielded outsize influence over the kingdom’s secretive policy-making machine, from pushing through the House of Saud’s recent plan to begin privatizing state oil assets to spearheading the proxy war against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen.
“Prince bin Salman is now the main driver of economic policy and foreign military policy in the kingdom,” said F. Gregory Gause, who heads the international affairs department at Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service.
Eighty-year-old King Salman, who came to power in January 2015, “obviously trusts his young son to take up the reins on policy matters,” Mr. Gause said. “There is some disquiet in the family about this concentration of power in the hands of just one prince, and one that is young and has not had much experience. But there are no overt signs of efforts to block [him] from within the family.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Take their oil.
With all the Grooming you can’t tell these guys apart anyway
Why would they groom someone named after a child molester? Oh ... and murder, thief, etc.
The Saudis need their oil fields taken to pay us for the damage THEY did on 9/11. The government is running out saying “ unsubstantiated “ on the final 28 pages hidden from the American people. Ok I want a federal Grand Jury and I want “prince” Bandar on the hot seat for 12 hours with all his phone and bank records— HE WAS THE SAUDI AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES!!~ Was he taking dozens of call from not only the hijackers— was he getting calls from al- Awlaki? ( the master mind that bush flew to safethy on September 13th?? I think he was!! Was he paying for flight lessons in San Diego?? I think he was. We not only lost 3000 AMERICAN lives — We lost $Trillions in property damage and stocks in 401 k retirments!! I want their OIL!!
This will be an interesting time. Saudi Arabia desperately needs to reform, but the Wahhabis will want to fight every step of the way. Remember, Saudi Arabia has no constitution, it is governed by sharia law and a monarchy. Any reform is a religious reform. Hopefully instead of having the money to spread islam to the outside world, they will be forced to reform it internally.
What if FDR flew out of Hawaii and back to Japan EVERY saboteur that had killed 3,000 Americans at Pearl Harbor?
What would the American public have done?
Agreed, and there’s a hint of religious reform that Prince Salman may be in favor of relaxing restrictions on women, I doubt hard line Muslims and Wahhabis will go for that.
In one recent Saudi Arabian news story there were hints about opening up the country to be more accepting of other religions. No details about how far and how it could be accomplished, but it was put into words for the first time I have ever seen.
I hope I’m not the only person who saw this...
... But this 30 year old grandson actually worked on something ? He created a detailed plan for his country to address challenges and succeed in the world playing field ?
First thing, I have never HEARD of a kid of this caliber doing any kind of work whatsoever. I’ve only known them to drive fast cars and kill people in French hotel rooms.
Secondly, this kid has done more his kingdom than just about any American politician apparently, and I’m embarrassed to say that.
.. Actually, I shouldn’t say that. There are quite a few American politicians who spend a lot of time drawing up plans to improve Saudi Arabia :)
It sounds like that to me too, the kid has actually done something and his father seems to recognize it.
father = grandfather
SA’s biggest export is Whabbism...
They look and act like a ME KKK...
I understand from other publications that Salman has ambitious plans to diversify their means of cash flow; relying less and less on crude.
I don’t think anyone suggests he is unstable, but he is willing to roll the dice a little bit.
Make them an offer they can’t refuse: Recognize Israel.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
