MBS "The Man Who Would Be King

 Thisbook is a comprehensive biography titled "The Man Who Would Be King" by Karen Elliott House, focusing on Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and his dramatic transformation of Saudi Arabia. It delves into his rapid ascent to power, his ambitious Vision 2030, and the profound social, economic, and political changes he has initiated, while also examining the challenges, controversies, and human rights concerns that accompany his rule.

Summary of "The Man Who Would Be King - Karen Elliott House"

The book paints a vivid picture of Saudi Arabia's dramatic shift from a "stultifying kingdom" in 2016 to a rapidly modernizing nation under the de facto leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The author, Karen Elliott House, through interviews with MBS and other key figures, provides an intimate look at the young prince's personality, ambitions, and often ruthless methods.

1. The Race to Rule & Rapid Ascent to Power (Prologue & Chapter 1):
In less than a decade, Saudi Arabia has undergone radical changes: the disappearance of religious police, new freedoms for women (including driving, competing in Miss Universe, and becoming astronauts), and an explosion of entertainment. This transformation is attributed to MBS, who came to power amidst a crisis of falling oil prices and dwindling reserves in 2015. At 29, initially unknown, he rapidly consolidated power, first by eliminating supreme councils and chairing new, decisive bodies, then by becoming Deputy Crown Prince and, within a year, Crown Prince after forcing his older cousin, Mohammed bin Nayef (MBN), to resign. His subsequent "Ritz-Carlton coup" (Nov 2017) further cemented his control by detaining royal princes, ministers, and businessmen on corruption charges, securing billions and gaining control of all armed forces. MBS's key qualities are described as self-confidence bordering on bravado, relentless energy, and quick political instincts. His Vision 2030 aims to make Saudi Arabia a top-ten global economy by 2050, no longer dependent on oil.

2. Reshaping Islam and National Identity (Chapter 2 & Chapter 10):
MBS has consciously distanced the Al Saud's legitimacy from strict Wahhabi Islam, which had dominated Saudi society since the 1979 Grand Mosque seizure. He promotes a "kinder, gentler Islam" focused on present-day challenges and returning to the more tolerant practices of Prophet Mohammed. Religious police have been defanged and their public authority curtailed. Simultaneously, MBS is fostering a new Saudi nationalism, dramatically rewriting the kingdom's founding history to diminish religion's role and emphasize the Al Saud family's long lineage, as seen in the establishment of "Founding Day" (February 22, 1727). Historical sites like Al Ula, once shunned as "cursed" by Wahhabis, are now glorified as cultural centers, underscoring this shift from religious to national identity.

3. Economic Diversification & Gigaprojects (Chapter 7 & Chapter 14):
Central to Vision 2030 is weaning the economy off oil dependence. MBS is driving "gigaprojects" like Neom, a $500 billion futuristic mega-city (including "The Line," a linear smart city), Trojena (mountain ski village), Sindalah (luxury yachting hub), King Salman Park, Mukaab, and the Qiddiya amusement park. These projects are marketed to attract global tourists and cutting-edge industries, aiming for tourism to contribute 10% of GDP by 2030. However, these ambitious plans face challenges: slow foreign direct investment, budget deficits, project delays, and the need to transform Saudi education and work ethic to create skilled labor. MBS is "gambling on the future" by also investing heavily in renewable energy (solar, green hydrogen), nuclear power, and mineral wealth, aiming to become an "energy-producing country of all kinds," while maintaining oil production capacity.

4. Social Freedoms & Entertainment Explosion (Chapter 6 & Chapter 9):
The most visible and successful reforms are the liberation of Saudi women. They now have equal employment opportunities, equal pay, the right to drive, control finances, and travel independently without male guardian permission. Women are increasingly visible in public life, filling roles from CEOs to astronauts. Gender segregation in public spaces has largely disappeared. This shift is framed by MBS as an economic necessity to tap into women's talents. Concurrently, public entertainment has exploded, with music festivals (Soundstorm), world-class sporting events, theme parks (Boulevard World, Wonder Park, Qiddiya), cinemas, and fine dining becoming ubiquitous. This "playfulness" is intended to satisfy a young population (65% under 30) and make the kingdom an attractive destination for foreign talent and tourists.

5. Global Assertiveness & Regional Challenges (Chapter 11 & Chapter 12):
MBS's "Saudi First" foreign policy aims to elevate the kingdom's role on the world stage, operating independently of the United States. Riyadh has deepened ties with China and Russia, notably defying U.S. requests on oil production and purchasing Russian oil. MBS has pursued a peace offensive in the Mideast (ceasefire in Yemen, détente with Iran) but faces immense challenges, particularly the Iranian threat (Tehran's nuclear ambitions, regional proxies, and historical enmity) and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Gaza war (Oct 2023) disrupted MBS's vision for Saudi-Israeli normalization and a technological corridor linking India to Europe via Israel. Despite setbacks, MBS remains determined to secure a U.S. security treaty and position Saudi Arabia as a pivotal global power.

6. The Human Element & Royal Dynamics (Chapter 13 & Chapter 15):
While social and economic freedoms have expanded, political freedoms have sharply contracted. Human rights organizations criticize Saudi Arabia's restrictive policies, arbitrary arrests, political imprisonment, and suppression of dissent. The Khashoggi murder (2018) became a symbol of MBS's ruthlessness. Despite international outcry, MBS defends "Saudi standards" as different from Western ones. He continues to jail critics and activists, underscoring that reforms are top-down initiatives, not results of public pressure. Within the Al Saud family, MBS has cemented the "Salman dynasty," concentrating political, economic, and military power in his branch, sidelining potential rivals. The book questions whether MBS's bold, Machiavellian approach will lead to a truly just and sustainable future for Saudi Arabia, or if his grand dreams risk bankrupting the nation.

7. Legacy (Epilogue):
MBS sees himself as a transformative historical figure, akin to Augustus or Ataturk, determined to usher Saudi Arabia into a new era of modernity and global influence. He embraces big risks and rejects "incrementalism." The ultimate question remains whether he will be remembered as a visionary reformer who delivered prosperity and stability, or a flawed leader whose authoritarianism and grand ambitions ultimately prove unsustainable.

Images Included in the Document:

The document includes a "Photo Section" (pages 297-307) containing several black-and-white images that visually support the narrative:

  • Page 298: Portraits of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (thirty-nine, de facto leader) and King Salman bin Abdul Aziz (eighty-nine, showing his fragile health).
  • Page 299: Two historical photos of a young MBS with his father, HRH Prince Salman, at public gatherings and as a teenager.
  • Page 300: A recent image of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed meeting Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas in Riyadh (2024), and another of MBS meeting Iranian President Raisi in Riyadh (2023). These highlight Saudi Arabia's engagement in regional diplomacy.
  • Page 301: A photo of President Trump with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017, and a portrait of Mohammed bin Nayef, MBS's deposed cousin. These illustrate key political relationships and power struggles.
  • Page 302: An image of the ongoing construction of King Salman Park, and the Haramain high-speed electric railway, symbolizing Saudi Arabia's massive infrastructure development.
  • Page 303: The seventy-six-story Public Investment Fund (PIF) Tower in Riyadh, a modern architectural landmark.
  • Page 304: Aramco’s Jubail Refinery Company (established 1981), showing its industrial processing, and a photo of work advancing in Qiddiya City, a future entertainment hub.
  • Page 305: A rendering of The Line (Neom), a car-free smart city, and a photograph of Hegra (Mada’in Saleh), a historic tourist site. These showcase the futuristic and historical aspects of Saudi tourism.
  • Page 306: A historical photo of Saudi women sitting outdoors, contrasting with the new social freedoms.
  • Page 307: A contemporary image of Qinwen Zheng of China competing at the women’s tennis finals in Riyadh in 2024, with abaya-clad Saudi women in attendance, illustrating women's newfound public presence in sports. Another image shows two women smoking a hookah in a Riyadh restaurant, symbolizing relaxed social norms.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Enemy of All Mankind

Image
   The book in PDF at My Google Drive  The book delves into the history of piracy, beginning with the Sea Peoples of the ancient world, exploring the origins of piracy and its evolution over centuries. It discusses the role of pirates in the global imagination and their impact on commerce, culture, and international law. A significant portion of the summary explores the economic implications of piracy and the specific event involving Avery. It examines the intricate relationships between pirates, global trade, cultural perceptions of piracy, and the media's role in shaping the image of pirates. The Mughals and Global Trade : The narrative also provides a detailed account of the rise of the Mughal Empire, its economic prowess, and its significance in global trade, particularly highlighting the importance of cotton and the subcontinent's wealth.   chapter 1  Origin stories  The first chapter titled "Origin Stories" in the book "Enemy of All" covers...
Read more

"One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This" by Omar El Akkad

  Introduction/Synopsis  Thi s book, is  a personal reflection interwoven with observations on contemporary conflicts, particularly the Israel-Hamas War. It touches on themes of violence, identity, and the social conditions of Muslims and Arabs in the United States. The author reflects on language, memory, and the impact of war, while also sharing personal anecdotes and experiences. The book seems to grapple with questions of morality, responsibility, and the complexities of navigating a world marked by conflict and injustice. The author also reflects on his experience of being an immigrant in the West. He criticizes how Western media approaches conflicts differently based on who the victims are, particularly noting the stark contrast in coverage between Israeli and Palestinian casualties.  He does not see the killing in Gaza as a betrayal of democratic ideals but as proof that those ideals have been lies from the start: “It has always been this way.”    He...
Read more

Revenge of the Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell:

Background,  Tipping Point 1) Law of few   2)  The stickiness factor 3) The power of context  Malcolm Gladwell's *Revenge of the Tipping Point* revisits and expands upon the ideas he introduced in his earlier work, *The Tipping Point*. This new book explores how small changes in social behavior can lead to large-scale shifts , but it focuses on the darker side of these phenomena—how social engineering, manipulation, and unintended consequences can create harmful epidemics. **Key Themes and Concepts** 1. ** Social Epidemics and Power Dynamics* *      Gladwell examines how individuals or small groups—whom he terms " super spreaders "—can disproportionately influence social trends. He investigates the mechanisms behind these tipping points and how they can be exploited for both good and ill. For instance, he recounts stories of bank robbery epidemics in Los Angeles and the rise of Medicare fraud in Miami to illustrate how certain contexts ...
Read more