Saudi Arabia’s Next King Has Launched A Crackdown On Dissent

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Wall Street Journal: Saudi Arabia Moves to Silence Deposed Prince, Dissidents

Royal court limits movements of Mohammed bin Nayef, infiltrates social-media accounts of activists and religious figures.

The new heir to Saudi Arabia’s throne has launched a crackdown on dissent in recent weeks, attempting to silence activists and critical clerics as well as his deposed predecessor, according to U.S. and Saudi officials familiar with the events.

King Salman upended Saudi Arabia’s succession order last month by naming his 31-year-old son, Mohammed bin Salman, crown prince and next in line to the throne, and sidelining his nephew and heir apparent, Mohammed bin Nayef, who has deep ties to U.S. intelligence and is widely viewed by U.S. officials as a stabilizing force in the region.

The newly elevated crown prince has limited the movements of Mohammed bin Nayef, the officials said. He has also replaced Mohammed bin Nayef’s guards with ones loyal to the royal court, they said, in a bid to ensure that Mohammed bin Nayef doesn’t take any steps to rally support.

“They want to make sure nothing is being plotted,” one of these people said.

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WNU Editor: Even though Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has the blessing of his father .... he does not look like someone who is confident that he will have the throne when it is time to be King. My gut is telling me that there is more at play here .... and that many in the Royal family are not happy with this line of succession.