Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, September 18, 2019. Mandel Ngan/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Reuters: Exclusive: In Saudi Arabia, criticism of Crown Prince grows after attack
(Reuters) - Some members of Saudi Arabia’s ruling family and business elite have expressed frustration with the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following the largest-ever attack on the kingdom’s oil infrastructure last month.
It has sparked concern among several prominent branches of the ruling Al Saud family, which numbers around 10,000 members, about the crown prince’s ability to defend and lead the world’s largest oil exporter, according to a senior foreign diplomat and five sources with ties to the royals and business elite. All spoke on condition of anonymity.
The attack has also fanned discontent among some in elite circles who believe the crown prince, known in the West by the initials MbS, has sought too tight a grip on power, the sources said. Some of these people said the event has also fueled criticism among those who believe he has pursued an overly aggressive stance towards Iran.
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WNU Editor: I am not surprised that the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is facing a lot of criticisms. But he is the Crown Prince and chosen heir by his father King Salman. He is someone who is not going to be removed anytime soon.
Precarious situation in the ME.
ReplyDeleteIran is on the cusp of controlling Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, a major strategic accomplishment.
Saudi Arabia is facing decisive defeat with Houthi's and potentially loss of territory. It is facing ongoing attacks on its infrastructure with no clear means to retaliate short of a major regional war with will destroy its oil industry.
The USA is not interested in fighting another ME war and is close to pulling out of Afghanistan, Syria and likely Iraq and other nations should Saudi Arabia further weaken.
I think this is overly optimistic to Iran. Granted, they are stronger in the listed areas but I think internally they have big issues and most of what we see is a facade.
DeleteI see the highly paid us pr consultant's plan is working to spread stories of discent.
ReplyDeleteWhat a modern leader MbS is...