Royal Reshuffle and Yemen Missile Strike Threaten Saudi Stability

The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh

Another shakeup atop the Saudi royal family, coupled with an escalation in the war in Yemen, has paved the way for the Saudi heir to the throne to consolidate power but has also stirred nationwide turmoil that could plant the seeds of a future backlash.

On Saturday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the arrests of dozens of ministers and other members of Riyadh’s elite, including Prince Mitaib bin Abdullah, Commander of the National Guard, and billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, as part of a broader effort to ostensibly crackdown on corruption.

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