Passing the Torch to the Next Generation of Saudi Leaders

Saudi Arabia is confronting a pivotal moment in its history. While the Kingdom navigates unprecedented regional and economic challenges, the Saudi royal family is orchestrating a power transition between the second and third generation of the Al Saud dynasty, leading many to analyze the direction of the kingdom.

The spotlight zeroed in on the royal family in January 2015, when King Salman bin Abdulaziz, assumed the throne. In April 2015, King Salman shook up the family’s succession order, appointing his nephew, 57-year old Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef, as Crown Prince, rather than his half brother, Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz. King Salman also named his 30-year old son, Mohammad bin Salman, as Defense Minister and Deputy Crown Prince. These changes initially introduced a degree of discord into familial dynamics.

“The Cipher Brief has become the most popular outlet for former intelligence officers; no media outlet is even a close second to The Cipher Brief in terms of the number of articles published by formers.” —Sept. 2018, Studies in Intelligence, Vol. 62

Access all of The Cipher Brief’s national security-focused expert insight by becoming a Cipher Brief Subscriber+ Member.

Subscriber+

Categorized as:InternationalTagged with:

Related Articles

How Safe Would We Be Without Section 702?

SUBSCRIBER+EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW — A provision of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that has generated controversy around fears of the potential for abuse has proven to be crucial […] More

Search

Close