Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (MBS) has redefined Saudi Arabia’s trajectory since becoming Crown Prince in 2017 by launching Vision 2030, a transformative strategy to modernize society and restructure the economy.

Vision 2030 is the Kingdom’s answer to the need for reduced dependency on oil, and it embraces diversification through private sector stimulation, technological innovation, and expanded tourism and entertainment.

The strategy’s stated goal is a modern, moderate, and globally integrated Saudi Arabia and a reshaping of its global reputation .

Significant economic progress marks the Vision’s early results.

Foreign direct investment inflows, which stood at only $1.4 billion in 2017, jumped to $19.3 billion by 2021, according to the Saudi Ministry of Investment and UNCTAD.

The official unemployment rate, a key metric of domestic stability, fell from nearly 13% at the beginning of the reforms to 8.6% in the first quarter of 2023.

Monumental projects such as NEOM and the Red Sea Development have attracted major international investments and generated thousands of jobs for Saudis, solid evidence of the economic impact of Vision 2030’s diversification agenda .

Among the most dramatic societal changes is the shift in the influence of the Wahhabi religious establishment.

The once-powerful religious police (the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice) have seen their authority sharply limited—they are no longer permitted to make public arrests or intervene in daily life.

The state’s relationship with religious clerics has been realigned, as national holidays and cultural events begin to replace strictly religious milestones, and state authority supersedes religious oversight in day-to-day governance .

Social reforms have been broad and impactful.

Among the most profound has been the advancement of women’s rights.

Before MBS’s reforms, women’s participation in the labor force was less than 17% in 2017.

By 2022, this figure had more than doubled to 35%, according to the Saudi General Authority for Statistics.

Women are now visible in fields such as law, engineering, and have even participated in space missions as Saudi astronauts.

Such opportunities were largely out of reach for Saudi women prior to 2017, when most professional and many public-sector roles were closed to them.

Other key reforms include authorizing women to drive, lifting travel restrictions, granting broader access to government services and financial independence, and normalizing their participation in public and economic life on a scale previously unseen in the Kingdom .

The Kingdom’s cultural transformation is also visible in the reintroduction of cinemas, proliferation of public concerts and sporting events, and the development of new entertainment venues.

These changes, once considered taboo, are now pillars in Vision 2030’s agenda of crafting a vibrant, open society and creating a fertile environment for tourism and investment .

However, Vision 2030 faces real and persistent challenges.

There is considerable resistance to privatization from vested interests, and bureaucratic inertia slows reform implementation.

Conservative elements within society, particularly from religious communities, have voiced strong opposition to what they view as a dilution of Islamic identity and tradition.

Additionally, despite progress, youth unemployment remains a significant concern, and critics cite the challenge of providing enough private-sector jobs for a youthful and expanding population .

Politically, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has undertaken high-profile anti-corruption campaigns that have resulted in the detention of senior officials and prominent businessmen.

While these measures are publicly framed as essential for modernizing institutions and rooting out corruption, they have also consolidated power around the Crown Prince and left political freedoms tightly controlled.

Notably, criticisms persist regarding the imprisonment of activists, including women’s rights defenders, even as the state celebrates reforms .

Internationally, reactions to MBS’s reforms have been mixed.

Western governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have expressed cautious optimism about progress, especially in women’s rights and economic openness.

However, prominent Western organizations such as Human Rights Watch and governmental bodies like the U.S. State Department continue to express concern over the continued arrests of critics and activists.

The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 remains a flashpoint, prompting calls in the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament for stricter oversight of arms sales and commercial ties with Saudi Arabia.

These ongoing concerns underscore the tension between recognition of progress and unresolved human rights issues .

Saudi-U.S. relations, deeply rooted in mutual economic and security interests, have evolved alongside the reforms.

While the Khashoggi case strained the relationship and led to critical scrutiny in American political discourse, a spirit of pragmatic engagement has since re-emerged.

President Joe Biden’s July 2022 visit to Jeddah included high-level discussions on issues such as energy coordination, security cooperation, and future economic ties.

Major American companies—including Google, Lucid Motors, and Boeing—have entered large-scale partnerships and investments as part of Vision 2030’s effort to attract expertise and innovation from the United States.

These business deals signal a recalibration of bilateral ties with an emphasis on modernization and shared strategic interests .

In summary, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 has triggered unmistakable shifts in Saudi Arabia: economic data reflects robust foreign investment and falling unemployment; women’s workforce participation has more than doubled; and the social landscape is being reshaped as secular influence grows at the expense of traditional religious authorities.

Alongside these advances are formidable challenges such as persistent youth unemployment, resistance to privatization, and sustained criticism from Western governments and NGOs.

While limits on political expression and high-profile controversies remain points of contention, reforms are recalibrating Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the United States and other global partners, gradually shifting Western perspectives on a country long known for its conservatism and closed society.

Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (MBS) has redefined Saudi Arabia’s trajectory since becoming Crown Prince in 2017 by launching Vision 2030, a transformative strategy to modernize society and restructure the economy.

Title:

Content: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Read at the meeting of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia
Many media and political decision makers in different parts of the world are still trying to analyze and understand the messages implicit in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ’ s recent meeting with Fox News.
The meeting, which is the first of its kind with an American media since 2019, was addressed to the Western public in general and the American in particular, where Prince Mohammed bin Salman chose to conduct the dialogue entirely in English, for the first time, and the meeting was clear, comprehensive, frank and natural to the highest degree, but the most important messages addressed by the Prince through the meeting.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman ’ s speech was mainly about the future, and came focused and did not address the traditional topic of the history of relations with the United States, but talked about future opportunities and challenges, and development partnerships instead of wars and differences, and stressed in numbers that Saudi Arabia is the most exciting place in the world today, and that the country is like beehives working around the clock with creative ideas and amazing projects. Ideas and initiatives that have stunned the world and brought about imaginary change in Saudi Arabia today.
The prince ’ s speech, confident in his country ’ s capabilities and believing in the aspirations and dreams of his people, confirmed in his interview that the Saudi story today is the most inspiring and the most ambitious not only in the region, but globally, especially if the magnitude of the change and movement that took place in the very short period that has passed.
The world has discovered, in a real and practical way, that what happens in Saudi Arabia does not stay in Saudi Arabia.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman calls on the Arab region to adopt a new approach to relations based on development, especially as the region has tried the methods of raising the emotional slogans promoting Arabism, nationalism, resistance and the accompanying economic system, which included socialism, nationalization, isolation and total development failure, which was paid for by the citizen in the first place.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman has worked to close the contentious files, enticing new partners with initiatives and partnerships that have important returns for them to enlarge the size of the cake for everyone instead of the old conflicts that were over the crumbs.
One of the most important successes of the crown prince is that in a very short time he was able to remarket his country in a spectacular way, after a period of intense media campaigns that were keen to describe Saudi Arabia as destructive, Saudi Arabia is today described as the most important investment fund in the world, the new starting point for sports and entertainment, and the success story of the 21st century, perhaps the most important success story in terms of rebranding.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman ’ s recent meeting left the American viewer with very positive impressions, beginning with the veteran broadcaster who conducted the interview, through the most important media « Fox News » who commented on it, and they were all surprised by the change, and the man ’ s quiver of dreams to come, and they knew what the Saudis knew for years.
Saudi Arabia today is no longer just an oil producer, but has become a center for attracting investment, creating opportunities and the ability to influence, eliminating terrorism and extremism, establishing bridges between peoples and nations in economy, culture and sports, and offering the world a model of development in government and private administrative performance that is exemplary, like what happened during the COVID-19 epidemic.
Most optimists did not expect all these transformations to occur within Saudi Arabia and the real development of Saudi Arabia ’ s position among nations, but those who sat and listened to Prince Mohammed bin Salman when he launched Vision 2030 fully realize that the man dreamed and thought, planned and implemented, continued and developed, and is satisfied only by setting ambitious and new goals for his country.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman ’ s recent interview with Fox News left a positive and very important impression, and this is a remarkable step to be reckoned with, but more importantly, it is a new building block in his ambitious national and international project.
Middle East
Selected articles published in Eram News reflect the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the site.
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What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Vision 2030 is the Kingdom’s answer to the need for reduced dependency on oil, and it embraces diversification through private sector stimulation, technological innovation, and expanded tourism and entertainment.

Title:

Content: Riyadh Season 2022: Why did the new marketing announcement infuriate Saudi Tweeters?
A large number of social media pioneers have interacted with the announcement of the new Riyadh season published by the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Al-Sheikh for this year.
The announcement shows sports and artistic symbols, including Real Madrid player Karim Benzema and Liverpool player Mohamed Salah, in addition to a number of Arab artists.
Tweeters criticized the absence of any Saudi artist in the ad, as well as resentment of the "huge amounts of advertising costs."
On the other hand, other Tweeters praised the announcement, noting their approval of the social, cultural and artistic changes witnessed by Saudi Arabia in the recent period.
Announcement Launch
The Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Turki Al-Sheikh, launched on Sunday through his Twitter account the official marketing announcement for the Riyadh 2022 season, which garnered more than 22 million views and interaction with thousands of Tweeters.
The Riyadh Season announcement video featured dazzling fireworks scenes and included a group of famous art and sports from around the world.
Among those who participated in the announcement are Egyptian football star and English club Liverpool Mohamed Salah, and Real Madrid star and recent Golden Ball winner Karim Benzema.
The announcement also featured Lebanese star Nancy Ajram and famous singer Majid al-Muhandis and artist Nadine Noujaim.
The video included scenes from the entertainment events of the third edition of the Riyadh season.
These events include games, restaurants, cafes, in addition to concerts, plays, and a number of international exhibitions in various entertainment fields.
Angry Tweeters
A number of Saudi Tweeters have expressed anger at the marketing announcement, criticizing several points in the ad.
Some saw it as "pointless and pointless extravagance".
Others questioned the “costs of such a huge announcement. ”
Others highlighted the lack of "Saudi art icons and celebrities" in the marketing advertisement for the Riyadh season.
Proponents of the Declaration
On the other hand, some tweets talked about "the great success achieved by the Riyadh season in its first and second editions technically and publicly, in addition to the great economic return."
This team predicted "the success of the new season like the last two seasons."
Others noted their fascination with the announcement, given the participation of Salah and Benzema in it.
Social and cultural transformation
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a significant transformation in the cultural, artistic and social landscape.
This has sparked controversy among old-school conservatives and neo-reformists, who want a more open and modern Saudi Arabia than before.
There is a fierce debate within Saudi Arabia about whether Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the owner of Saudi Vision 2030, will be able to achieve his goals.
Vision 2030
• Among the goals of the plans revealed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is to "modernize the economy and transform the country into a tourist and modern interface, in addition to transforming the economy away from oil, and open new tributaries of national income, depending on clean energy, tourism and entertainment."
• He also hopes to end the country ’ s dependence on oil by 2030, which will require radical changes to a bureaucracy that has thwarted previous reforms and a willingness to challenge the powerful religious conservatism.
• These plans also entail strengthening the role of the private sector, which currently depends on government spending.
• The vision is to try to develop and promote the country through a large plan that will work on comprehensive economic and social reform and work to develop it.
• It also includes the emergence of new industries by privatizing the Kingdom ’ s largest companies, providing job opportunities for young people to reduce unemployment, and establishing a strong investment fund comparable to the world ’ s largest.

How has Saudi Arabia diversified its economy under Vision 2030?

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To lessen reliance on oil.
To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

The strategy’s stated goal is a modern, moderate, and globally integrated Saudi Arabia and a reshaping of its global reputation .

Significant economic progress marks the Vision’s early results.

Title:

Content: Moderate ideology: The silent Saudi revolution

Sports events, movie screenings, art exhibitions and music concerts are becoming increasingly common in the kingdom, and Saudi citizens are lapping them all up.

Published: 25th July 2023 12:34 AM  |   Last Updated: 25th July 2023 12:45 AM   |  A+A-

It has been ‘work in progress’ for some time now. Saudi Arabia is changing the tone and texture of its ideology from what has always been considered obscurantist to something that keeps with the times. Sports events, movie screenings, art exhibitions and music concerts are becoming increasingly common in the kingdom, and Saudi citizens are lapping them all up.

The kingdom has rapidly secured its position as a centre for cultural events, art exhibitions and film screenings. The nation’s Vision 2030 envisages and fully supports the expansion of the entertainment market to SR30 billion. Almost every domain of entertainment for which Saudi citizens earlier travelled far and wide is now available at home. This is thanks to a break from the past that the de facto ruler, Mohammad bin Salman (MbS), the Crown Prince, has initiated. It makes eminent sense in a nation seeking to develop itself beyond the energy sector with three visionary themes: a vibrant society, a thriving economy and continuity in terms of ambition in comprehensive development.

All this translates into a modern civilisational outlook with technology, intellectualism, private investment, trade, tourism, academics and more, all becoming the prime domains of functioning. The traditional worldwide perception of Saudi Arabia as the centre of the obscurantist ideology of Islam and a nation with an anti-reformist outlook has persisted, and not without reason. A brief understanding of this is important to appreciate the degree of change that Prince MbS has been able to generate.

As the custodian of the Holy Shrines of Mecca and Medina and the land where Islam’s first message was delivered, the Saudi rulers and clergy have always been all-powerful, even more so after adopting the core ideology expounded by Saudi thinker Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. There is a long history behind this.

A virtual pact between the powerful clergy and the Royal Family has existed to promote the Wahhabi ideology in return for the powers that the Royals enjoyed. The pact saw enhanced clergy power after 1979 when the Shia Revolution occurred in Iran, the Saudi Ikhwan attempted a takeover of the Holy Shrine at Mecca, and the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Wahhabi ideology was about going back to the basics and making the faith much less tolerant by supporting ‘Takfir’, or the power of declaration of a believer as an apostate if Wahhabi tenets are not adhered to. The militant part of the ideology started to come to the fore after 1979. From segments of the Arab world to Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of India, Indonesia, Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations, militancy promoting the Saudi brand flourished, giving rise to the notion of a clash of civilisations.

Saudi Arabia’s energy resources always dictated US policy. A grey zone existed here with simultaneous US support to Israel and Saudi Arabia, stacked primarily against Iran and the collective Arab will against Israel. A couple of factors brought the trigger for change. Among them were the discovery of shale gas in the US and the progressive decline in US dependency on Saudi energy resources. Second was the dwindling Saudi economy and the realisation that in an energy-based economy, without expansion into other domains of economic development, such as trade, technology, tourism, investments, entertainment and intellectual research, Saudi Arabia would waste its opportunities and resources. The tremendous advantage of being the centre of the Islamic world could give it enduring leadership status if it could neutralise the rising militancy within Islam. Nations all around, such as the UAE, had fully utilised their possessions and drawn major economic attraction due to pragmatism followed in all domains, including faith issues. The position of women in Saudi society, in particular, had a damning effect on the nation.

Nothing changes without a leader and a vision. Saudi Arabia was fortunate to get MbS, although his personal equation with the US has remained strained for various reasons, not the least being the Khashoggi factor. However, none of that has affected his intent of modernising the nation and for that, a more moderate form of Islam within the kingdom is necessary. To his credit, he has convinced the clergy of the need to follow his vision, which will also project Islam differently to many others who follow the Saudi guidelines on faith.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, from Saudi Arabia, who recently visited New Delhi for six days, is the Secretary General of the Muslim World League. The organisation was once at the forefront of promoting obscurantist ideology but is now transformed, as is evident from Sheikh al Issa’s message in New Delhi. The Sheikh’s belief which he transparently shared is that a whole generation of Muslims has grown up with an ideology that has given them a negative view of other faiths and an intolerantly sectarian understanding of their own.

In his several meetings with intellectuals, leaders and clergy from diverse faiths in India, he emphasised the role of the clergy in any faith. He admitted that Islam had earned a bad name for itself due to the acts of a few and the refusal of the followers to condemn those acts. He spoke of the role of family and education and decried religious teachers’ unsupervised education of young Muslim children. He mentioned that when intolerance and militancy were rising, people feared confronting them. His most poignant argument was that such obscurantism and militancy cannot be eliminated in the typical military way; they have to be removed from the roots by narratives stronger than the ones expounded.

Sheikh Al-Issa’s visit to India was symbolic of what appears to be the fading of the intolerant and militant element of Islam, but we cannot read too much into this. That change is taking place at the ideological centre is positive, but there is no guarantee of permanency. It is also not necessary that the message from Saudi Arabia is gelling with the vast Muslim populations worldwide. These populations are enmeshed with their local cultures and unlikely to follow examples. What is true is that a message supporting reformation has emanated from the nation considered the custodian of the shrines and, by many, of the faith. Nurturing this and taking it beyond is now the challenge.

Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd)

Former Commander, Srinagar-based 15 Corps. Now Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir

(atahasnain@gmail.com)

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What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Foreign direct investment inflows, which stood at only $1.4 billion in 2017, jumped to $19.3 billion by 2021, according to the Saudi Ministry of Investment and UNCTAD.

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

The official unemployment rate, a key metric of domestic stability, fell from nearly 13% at the beginning of the reforms to 8.6% in the first quarter of 2023.

Monumental projects such as NEOM and the Red Sea Development have attracted major international investments and generated thousands of jobs for Saudis, solid evidence of the economic impact of Vision 2030’s diversification agenda .

Title:

Content: Saudi King appoints Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as prime minister
Saudi Arabia ’ s King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued three royal orders on Tuesday, including appointing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as prime minister in his place, and making a cabinet reshuffle that kept the foreign and oil ministers in their posts.
Announcement
Saudi Arabia ’ s King Salman bin Abdulaziz has appointed his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the oil-rich kingdom, as prime minister in his place, a royal order said Tuesday evening.
The royal order, published by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, stipulated that "the cabinet sessions we attend shall be chaired by us," meaning that the octogenarian king will preside over the sessions in which he participates despite the appointment of his young son, 37, to his post.
The king of Saudi Arabia is usually prime minister and will remain in office until his death.
The royal orders also included the appointment of Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz as defense minister after he was deputy minister.
He has been defense minister since the beginning of 2014.
According to the official Saudi Press Agency, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman retained the post of energy minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan as foreign minister, Mohammed al-Jadaan as finance minister and Khalid al-Falih as investment minister.
The kingdom has for years sought to refute speculation about the health of the 86-year-old king, who has ruled the world's top oil exporter since 2015.
In 2017, it denied reports and speculation that the king was planning to abdicate in favor of his son.
King Salman has been hospitalized twice so far this year, most recently for a week in May, according to state media.
The Saudi monarch was expected to keep his country on a steady conservative path when he came to power, but instead made a big difference in the kingdom and opened the door to power to a younger generation of the House of Saud family.
Fortify his position.
The crown prince, on the other hand, is leading his conservative kingdom with ambitious radical reforms and accelerated social changes that began with his ascension to the leadership ladder five years ago.
But at the same time, he has fortified his position as a de facto and future ruler by silencing all dissent.
The changes included granting women the right to drive, opening cinemas, welcoming foreign tourists, limiting the authority of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice and hosting pop stars, heavyweight duels and other sporting events.
In parallel, he has jailed his critics and in a widespread purge of the country ’ s political and economic elite, arrested around 200 princes and businessmen at Riyadh ’ s Ritz-Carlton Hotel in a 2017 anti-corruption crackdown that has helped tighten his grip on power.
After a quick jump to the top, the brutal murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at his country ’ s consulate in Istanbul in 2018 cast a shadow over the career of Mohammed bin Salman, who had been crown prince for a year.
Opening the doors again.
US President Joe Biden ’ s visit in July, after he had pledged during his election campaign to treat the kingdom as a “pariah state ” over its human rights record and Khashoggi ’ s killing, appeared to have reopened the outer doors for the young ruler.
The sharp rise in energy prices triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine has spurred a number of Western leaders to travel to the kingdom to appeal for increased production.
Among his major projects as he seeks to diversify the kingdom ’ s oil-based economy are the construction of the futuristic mega-city of Neom at a cost of $500 billion and the economic diversification plan “Vision 2023 ”.
It also seeks to establish its position as a powerful regional power, and has been the driving force behind Saudi Arabia ’ s military intervention in Yemen, the Arabian Peninsula ’ s poorest country, to support government forces against the Iran-backed Houthis.
France 24 / AFP
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What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To lessen reliance on oil.
To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy
To attract foreign investment

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Among the most dramatic societal changes is the shift in the influence of the Wahhabi religious establishment.

How has the role of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice changed under Muhammad bin Salman?

No longer acts as the de facto religious police.

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

The once-powerful religious police (the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice) have seen their authority sharply limited—they are no longer permitted to make public arrests or intervene in daily life.

Title:

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Biden cooperates with Saudi Arabia ’ s central bank on tough reforms to get rid of Khashoggi ’ s shadow
2022 / 7 / 16 19: 01 （ Updated on 7 / 16 19: 41 ）
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U.S. President Joe Biden (left) flew to Saudi Arabia on the 15th to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed Salman (right) and others. (Anadolu News Agency)
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(Central News Agency reporter Zhong You Zhen Istanbul 16, the murder of dissident journalist Khashoggi, once put the reputation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Salman in jeopardy.
US President Joe Biden, who has criticized this incident, began his first trip to the Middle East in office this week and engaged with the Crown Prince. Whether the Khashoggi case has been lacklustre and whether the crown prince can rule out the road to the Middle East remains to be seen.
Since the hardline Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman became Saudi Arabia ’ s crown prince five years ago, he has pushed through a series of reforms that have shaken conservative Saudi Arabia and eliminated any threat to its status.
The 36-year-old prince is tall and often referred to by the initials MBS.
His bearded, deep voice and energy are visible everywhere, from the much-funded desert city of NEOM to the seven-year military campaign in neighbouring Yemen.
AFP reported on the 14th that Mohammed Salman is said to prefer fast food and is a player in the online game Call of Duty.
Of course, he is also super rich, not only sitting on a $500 million yacht, a French castle, and heard that he also has a painting by Renaissance magnate Leonardo da Vinci.
However, the Saudi authorities denied this rumor.
Unlike a British accent, suits and other Saudi siblings with an Oxford degree, Mohammed Salman is unique.
Dressed in a traditional robe and sandals, he entertained his family and friends at a lavish desert camp with a roast lamb meal.
In addition, he married only one wife, unlike other members of the royal family.
When King Salman ascended to the throne in early 2015, he appointed Mohammed Salman as defense minister.
Soon after, Mohammed Salman also became involved in economic policy, overseeing state-owned oil companies and Saudi military operations against Yemen.
Muhammad Salman has many titles, and the diplomatic community refers to him as “Mr. Almighty ”.
The reform-minded Crown Prince also led the most dramatic changes in Saudi Arabia's recent history.
Under his watch, the religious police are like paper tigers, the decades-old ban on women driving has become a thing of the past, and the cinema has reopened.
Film festivals, operas, heavyweight boxing and professional wrestling competitions are held.
In addition to these innovations, Mohammed Salman arrested dissidents and forced religious organizations to obey orders. In 2017, he consolidated his power in the name of anti-corruption, detaining about 200 princes and business people at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the capital, Riyadh.
Externally, the crown prince pursued a strong diplomacy that dragged Saudi Arabia into the quagmire of regional rivalries: the Yemen war, hostility to the Shiites in Iran, and the blockade of Qatar for three years.
He is also said to be involved in the detention of the Lebanese prime minister.
Author Ben Hubbard ’ s Muhammad Salman is “highly controversial. ” His supporters praise the Crown Prince as the long-awaited leader of the Middle East, while opponents attack him as a cold-blooded dictator.
In 2018, Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed by Saudi agents at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
U.S. intelligence believes that Mohammed Salman ’ s approval of the operation caused a serious setback to the crown prince ’ s image.
However, the crown prince has a good relationship with then-US President Donald Trump and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, and he has exchanged views with Kushner.
Agence France-Presse analysis, this contact has been a great help to the crown prince in dealing with the Khashoggi incident.
During his presidential campaign, Biden vowed to take Khashoggi ’ s murder seriously, making Saudi Arabia invisible on the world stage.
With words still in his ears, Biden arrived in Saudi Arabia on the 16th and greeted Wang with fists.
The crown prince did not respond when an American journalist shouted to Muhammad Salman, "Will you apologize to his (Khashoggi) family?"
When the reporter was taken away from the scene, a faint smile appeared on Mohammed Salman ’ s face.
According to outside analysis, this may indicate that the Crown Prince, who is less than 40 years old, returns to international politics and will be in power for more than half a century or more, with the blessing of the visit of American leaders. (Editor: Zhou Yongjie) 1110716
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Biden to discuss oil prices with Middle East countries to provide food security assistance

How has the role of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice changed under Muhammad bin Salman?

No longer acts as the de facto religious police.

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

The state’s relationship with religious clerics has been realigned, as national holidays and cultural events begin to replace strictly religious milestones, and state authority supersedes religious oversight in day-to-day governance .

How has the role of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice changed under Muhammad bin Salman?

No longer acts as the de facto religious police.

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

What internal changes has MBS implemented in Saudi Arabia?

Social reforms have been broad and impactful.

How has Vision 2030 affected women's rights and workforce participation?

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Among the most profound has been the advancement of women’s rights.

How has Vision 2030 affected women's rights and workforce participation?

Strengthened women's rights
gender equality

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Before MBS’s reforms, women’s participation in the labor force was less than 17% in 2017.

Title:

Content: The square project.
A new step by bin Salman for “changing identity ”? | Politics and economics | In-depth analysis with a broader perspective than DW | DW | 12.03.2023
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The square project.
A new step by bin Salman to “change identity ”?
Is Saudi Arabia moving towards more identity modernization?
A new project in the capital Riyadh mimics the shape of the Kaaba, in a context that is witnessing a shift from the Saudi leadership towards easing the historical and religious dimension.
The giant cube in the middle of the new square project has nothing to do with the Kaaba in Mecca, although there is a similarity in the geometry.
A huge project announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman under the name of "Square Project" in the capital Riyadh, with a width, height and length of 400 meters, which will be in the center of Riyadh, with the aim of developing the largest "Downtown", where the Saudi leadership plans to be the largest city center in the world.
The project includes "an innovative museum, a university specializing in technology and design, a multi-use theater and areas for live and entertainment shows," the Saudi Press Agency announced a few days ago, and is scheduled to be completed in 2030.
The project resembles the Kaaba in its geometric form, which has left a great controversy on social media sites.
Bruno Schmidt Fuerherd, a political analyst from Cambridge University, told DW that “in the Saudi public sphere, religion is increasingly being replaced by culture, ” denying that cube-shaped architecture is something specific to the Kaaba.
Change Date of Incorporation
This new square is not the only change in Saudi Arabia; it has been preceded by other steps that confirm a trend towards modernizing the country.
For the first time, the anniversary of the founding of the Saudi state was celebrated last year, and the occasion was designated on February 22 of each year, known as "Foundation Day", in addition to the Saudi National Day celebrated on September 23 of each year, and dates back to the occasion of the unification of Saudi Arabia in 1932.
The most important thing in establishing the "Foundation Day" is to change the date of the founding of the country from 1744 to 1727.
The year 1744 is linked to the agreement between the ruling Al Saud family and the cleric Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, the leader of the so-called Wahhabi Islam, who remained in control of Saudi Arabia for decades.
The agreement includes Abdul Wahab's support for the House of Saud in power, from a religious point of view, while the ruling family financially supports the Wahhabi family and allows it to have authority over education and public morals, and even laws were the same Wahhabi.
In 1727, it is related to the rise to power of Mohammed bin Saud as the founder of the first Saudi state, after his control of the Emirate of Diriyah north of Riyadh.
“The new interpretation of the birth of the state clearly underestimates the role of religion, ” says Schmidt Feuerhard, highlighting that“ the goal is a national campaign to celebrate non-religious holidays. ”
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia declared Flag Day, a day officially celebrated for the first time on March 11, 2023, which dates back to the day the current Saudi flag was approved by King Abdulaziz.
The royal decree referred to the Testimony of Tawhid as symbolizing "the message of peace and Islam" while the sword symbolizes "strength, nobility, wisdom and prestige".
The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs also announced major changes to the rules of the month of Ramadan, including urging not to bring children to mosques, prohibiting collection of donations inside mosques, not to be absent from work except for the utmost necessity, taking into account the conditions of people in Taraweeh prayers and supplications, and prohibiting the use of cameras in mosques.
Change in a general context
These changes have generally been accepted by a large number of Saudis, and Schmidt Fuerherd points to several explanations for the phenomenon, including sending tens of thousands of Saudis abroad with full government funding, that have made them receptive to these cultural changes in the country.
Education and job creation for Saudi youth have also become priorities for the kingdom, a key part of Vision 2030, announced by the crown prince during his rise in politics, since he was crown prince ’ s deputy.
Since 2016, Mohammed bin Salman has announced a series of decisions to change the face of the conservative kingdom.
This included diversifying the economy by not making it focused on oil, modernizing the country ’ s infrastructure, creating a recreational policy that allowed the establishment of music festivals and the opening of cinemas, and the largest beneficiaries are the women of the Kingdom, which eased restrictions on them, including allowing driving and Hajj and Umrah without a mahram, and mixing became normal, as well as abolishing the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
Mohammed bin Salman wants to modernize Saudi society without guaranteeing political freedoms
Freedom is not guaranteed!
Activist Loujain al-Hathloul spent three years in prison for defending women ’ s rights. Last year, 34-year-old Salma al-Shehab was sentenced to 34 years in prison for liking or tweeting about human rights in the kingdom. Noura bint Saeed al-Qahtani was sentenced to 45 years in prison. For the same reason.
“While there are more social freedoms, the state wants to remain the owner of change. ”
Schmidt Feuerherd says, “So any form of political activity is thwarted, and critics and opponents are portrayed as traitors to the nation. ”
Jennifer Hollis / EG

How has Vision 2030 affected women's rights and workforce participation?

And women's workforce participation doubled to 36%

By 2022, this figure had more than doubled to 35%, according to the Saudi General Authority for Statistics.

Women are now visible in fields such as law, engineering, and have even participated in space missions as Saudi astronauts.

Title:

Content: The great Islamic scientists of the past were interested in various fields of science, including planets, stars, comets and space in general.
Medieval caliphs, like the wise Harun al-Rashid, highly valued astronomers, kept them at court.
And now, a thousand years after the end of the “golden age of Islam ”, Saudi Arabia, on whose territory there are two shrines of Islam, sends its astronauts into orbit, and does it effectively – Ryan Barnawi and Maryam Fardus, the first female astronauts in the history of the kingdom, will fly to the ISS.
Details - in the material NEWS.ru.
Infinity waits
Two flights of Saudi cosmonauts to the ISS are already planned, in each of them the team will consist of one man and one woman.
The first flight is scheduled for the second quarter of 2023, in which Rayna Barnawi will go into orbit with his partner Ali al-Karni.
Together with the Saudis will fly two American astronauts: Peggy Whitson and John Schöffner.
The entire mission is expected to take 12 days.
Since the kingdom does not yet have its own space rockets and cosmodromes, the launch will take place from the US cosmodrome on the SpaceX rocket of Elon Musk.
Given that Saudi Arabia has no experience in organizing flights, the coordination will be carried out by the American space company Axiom Space.
She also trained Saudi astronauts.
Photo by Nasa / Joel Kowsky
This initiative will expand Saudi Arabia ’ s capabilities in the field of manned space flight.
It will also contribute to the kingdom ’ s scientific research in the field of health and space technologies that serve the benefit of humanity, the Saudi Space Agency said in a statement.
Not much is known about the Saudi space conquerors themselves.
The first in the history of Saudi Arabia astronaut Ryan for the past 13 years has been engaged in genetics, biomedicine, the study of the causes of breast cancer and stem cells.
Her colleague al-Karni is closer to the space industry.
He is an experienced military pilot with more than two thousand hours of flying experience.
It is expected that in the near future the kingdom will acquaint the world with the biographies of cosmonauts in more detail, but so far many details of the project are kept secret.
On the pages of astronauts in social networks there is almost no information about them.
Photo: ssc.gov.saRyan Barnavi
Saudi Arabia has also trained two more astronauts - a woman Mariam Fardous and a man Ali al-Ghamdi.
Fardous is a scuba diving instructor who previously worked in medical organizations in various positions, such as a database specialist.
Also on her LinkedIn page it is written that she is the first Arab woman to conquer the North Pole.
Ali al-Ghamdi is a military pilot who has 11 years of flying experience and more than two thousand flight hours.
The head of the Saudi space commission has already stated that in the foreseeable future, Saudi Arabia would like to learn how to conduct launches and space research independently.
He did not name any exact dates or plans, as Muslims say, these are plans from the category of "InshaAllah" (if and when Allah wills).
Photo: ssc.gov.saAli al-Ghamdi
Why space, build a skyscraper
Meanwhile, the news that Saudi Arabia will send its citizens into space, caused a big furor in the Arab world.
The fact is that the Saudi space program (or rather, its absence) until recently was an eternal reason for jokes in the Arab world.
Like, here, despite all the petrodollars, the Saudis have not contributed anything to this area and spend money on some nonsense.
Although the search for knowledge, and therefore travel into space, is not prohibited in Islam, but even encouraged, Saudi imams, ulema, sheikhs and mullahs have always come up with excuses for why it is worth spending money not on an incomprehensible space, but on something more “pleasing ” and useful.
Islam does not forbid the exploration of the wonders of the cosmos created by Allah.
But, first, you need to compare the time, effort and money spent on this goal with the benefits that can be obtained from somewhere else — sounds one such excuse. — Moreover, humanity should live and behave Godly on Earth before going into space.
About the Saudis and space in Arab social networks from time to time you can even find a meme in which the Arab news anchor indignates that Iran, living under heavy sanctions, was able to launch into space a male macaque named Fargam, and all that was able to give the world a rich Saudi Arabia is “only a handful of monkeys like King Abdullah (the former ruler of the kingdom – NEWS.ru) ”..
However, if you dig deeper into the history of Saudi Arabia, it becomes clear that in vain many Arabs are so disrespectful of Saudi merit in space.
After all, the “homeland of monkeys ” was a space pioneer not only among Arab countries, but also the entire Islamic world.
The first Arab and Muslim to go into space was a member of the royal dynasty of the country - Sultan bin Salman Al Saud, the half-brother of the current Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
In 1985, he joined the NASA mission team and spent seven days in space.
Photo: Sergey Karpukhin / TASS Sultan bin Salman Al Saud
The Saudis themselves remember and appreciate this continuity.
A new trailer for the Saudi space program, luring the future generation of the country into space, emphasizes that the fascination with space is not something new for Saudi Arabia, but something that the country has sought before.
Raise your head.
Look at the stars.
Find their coordinates.
Visit them and name them.
Let space be your new passion.
Realize your connection with him, – says in the Saudi trailer. – Stars will always be a part of you.
Your ancestors from the past have already realized this.
Now it's time for you to launch your ambitions into space.
Mecca of feminism
However, the flight into space from Saudi Arabia, many expected, given that recently between the countries of the Persian Gulf (or, as the Arabs say, the Arab Gulf) intensified the struggle for the title of the main space power of the region.
That's just to accept that together with the brave son of the Arab Ummah (community) a woman will fly into space, many Arabs of the old school still can not.
After all, until recently, many considered Saudi Arabia one of the most conservative countries on Earth, and at the same time almost the worst place to be born a woman.
Because of Islamic restrictions, simply seeing a woman somewhere on the street was already a rarity.
As a rule, they appeared in public only on special occasions, wrapped in Islamic robes, and must be accompanied by a husband, brother or father.
Not all Arabs and not all Saudis have yet accepted this abrupt transition from “manual ” wives and sisters to free women who take part in politics, drive high-speed trains between shrines, ride camels in deserts, and now fly into space.
But despite criticism from conservatives, bin Salman — chief conductor of the transformation of conservative Saudi Arabia into a country of “space feminism ” — is more confident than ever in his decisions and reforms of the“ Vision 2030 ” initiative, designed to make desert Saudi Arabia the state of the future.
Photo by neom.com
Recall, having come to power in 2017, the crown prince and the actual ruler of the kingdom decided to arrange a total “rebranding ” and a change of image for the country.
The heir to the throne realized that Saudi Arabia will not be able to live forever on oil sales.
Therefore, he began to turn the state from a closed country into a regional and world center of culture, tourism, economy and everything possible.
To do this, he builds the city of the future Neom, buys the best football players in the world like Cristiano Ronaldo, consults with the Japanese and Koreans on how best to adapt the pop culture of East Asia, develops e-sports, invests in medicine, education and tourism.
Thanks to his reforms, bearded imams, who only insisted that everything in this life is a continuous “haram ” (a sin in Islam), gradually came physicists, chemists, biologists, and now women astronauts.
Photo by Khalid Abdulfaattah / XinHua / Global Look PressCristiano Ronaldo
Given the resources of Saudi Arabia and its boundless desire to hit the world in all spheres, it is difficult to imagine what space goals the kingdom will set for itself.
So far, the Saudis are limited only by the Islamic ban on visiting Mars (it is believed that flying there is tantamount to suicide), and otherwise they have a complete “tawuid mutlaq ” (carte blanche).
Therefore, there is no doubt that the crown prince will still find something to surprise the world, if not on Earth, then among the stars and planets, which, by the way, are mentioned in the Koran.
He is the One who created the night and the day, the sun and the moon.
All of them are in their own orbit, according to the Holy Scriptures of the Muslims.

How has Saudi Arabia diversified its economy under Vision 2030?

How has Vision 2030 affected women's rights and workforce participation?

Strengthened women's rights
gender equality

Such opportunities were largely out of reach for Saudi women prior to 2017, when most professional and many public-sector roles were closed to them.

How has Vision 2030 affected women's rights and workforce participation?

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

Other key reforms include authorizing women to drive, lifting travel restrictions, granting broader access to government services and financial independence, and normalizing their participation in public and economic life on a scale previously unseen in the Kingdom .

How has Saudi Arabia empowered women and increased their labor market participation under Vision 2030?

By removing restrictions on freedom of movement

How has Vision 2030 affected women's rights and workforce participation?

Strengthened women's rights
gender equality

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

What new permissions have Saudi women gained under Mohammed bin Salman's rule?

The Kingdom’s cultural transformation is also visible in the reintroduction of cinemas, proliferation of public concerts and sporting events, and the development of new entertainment venues.

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

These changes, once considered taboo, are now pillars in Vision 2030’s agenda of crafting a vibrant, open society and creating a fertile environment for tourism and investment .

How has Saudi Arabia diversified its economy under Vision 2030?

How has Vision 2030 affected women's rights and workforce participation?

Strengthened women's rights
gender equality

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy
To attract foreign investment

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

However, Vision 2030 faces real and persistent challenges.

There is considerable resistance to privatization from vested interests, and bureaucratic inertia slows reform implementation.

Title:

Content: In June, Saudi Arabia, along with two other Gulf states and Egypt, began putting pressure on Qatar on the grounds that Doha was providing financial support for international terrorism.
Saudi Arabia ’ s statements against Qatar could be taken as a joke, given that Riyadh itself has long financed the spread of fundamentalist Salafi Islam, which is often associated with extremism, writes Ayaan Hirsi Ali in an article for The New York Times.
Ivan Shilov IA REGNUM
The Saudis
On the one hand, Saudi Arabia ’ s actions against Qatar can be called a classic example of “whose cow is moaning ”.
On the other hand, Riyadh could use the smokescreen of the diplomatic crisis around Qatar to divert attention from the growing tensions within its own kingdom.
See also: Asia Times: US and China do not face the danger of the “Thucydides trap ”
The newly appointed crown prince of the Saudi throne, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, has promised to modernize the country ’ s economy, which includes measures to diversify the national economy to reduce its dependence on oil prices, expand trade, increase employment and eliminate some restrictions in public life.
However, within Saudi Arabia there are two factors that could put all plans of the crown prince in jeopardy.
First, the crown prince has a rival who can challenge him.
This is the former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef Al Saud, whom in November 2017 Mohammed bin Salman placed under house arrest and froze all his bank accounts.
The current crown prince has taken a very bold step, even by the standards of the royal dynasty.
However, Mohammed bin Nayef, who previously headed the secret intelligence of Saudi Arabia, can be a very dangerous enemy.
Ivan Shilov IA REGNUM
Saudi Arabia
Second, Mohammed bin Salman ’ s grand strategic reform plan, known as Vision 2030, poses a direct threat to the prestige and authority of the Wahhabi clergy in Saudi Arabia.
The clergy have influence, and they have a motive to try to thwart the Crown Prince ’ s plans.
If private enterprise begins to strengthen its position through reforms, the resources and influence of the clergy will decrease, therefore, the opportunities for retaining control over the kingdom will be reduced.
For centuries, the royal family relied on the support of the Wahhabi clergy to ensure the religious legitimacy of the ruling dynasty.
If modernization threatens to destroy the authority of the clergy, how long will it remain submissive to the crown prince?
Earlier, the crown prince made it clear that the influence of the clergy could become an obstacle to economic growth and reduce the dependence of the Saudi economy on oil.
In case of resistance of the clergy, the Crown Prince promised to take appropriate measures.
Most likely, the clergy will begin to openly resist the Westernization of the country with the same zeal with which Saudi Arabia seeks to attract foreign investors.
Since 1973, the Saudi government and its semi-official “charities ” have spent billions of dollars spreading Wahhabi ideology abroad.
The continuation of such a policy would be detrimental to the efforts of the international community to combat radicalization.
Saudi clerics have a powerful social network that provides a direct link to their supporters across the country.
The clergy can use this platform to undermine the plans of the Crown Prince and the position of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
In this regard, there is a risk of fomenting unrest in a country with a high youth unemployment rate.
In an effort to stifle dissent, in September 2017, Saudi Arabia detained several influential clerics who opposed Saudi Arabia ’ s position on Qatar.
In November, the fight continued, only under the guise of anti-corruption purges, in which more than 200 officials, large businessmen and members of the royal family were detained.
See also: “On whom should the US make the main bet in the Middle East? ”
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia ’ s Wahhabi clerics have extensive ties to Islamist organizations around the world.
Qatar can use these ties to discredit the crown prince in the eyes of international public opinion.
As a response to diverting attention from Saudi Arabia, Riyadh may intensify the conflict with Qatar.
The stakes are very high.
If the crown prince manages to carry out modernization, it will strike a blow to radical Islamism.
If modernization plans fail, the country could roll back several decades, continuing to export extremism abroad.
From the point of view of most Middle Eastern political players, any compromise is seen as a disgrace to the country.
Instead of accepting an ultimatum from Saudi Arabia, such as closing the news agency and severing ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, Qatar has only strengthened its alliance with Iran and Turkey.
Back in June 2017, the diplomatic crisis around Qatar seemed like a minor event in the Middle East, in 2018 it could trigger a big conflict.

Conservative elements within society, particularly from religious communities, have voiced strong opposition to what they view as a dilution of Islamic identity and tradition.

What internal changes has MBS implemented in Saudi Arabia?

Suppressed dissent--especially Islamist opposition

Additionally, despite progress, youth unemployment remains a significant concern, and critics cite the challenge of providing enough private-sector jobs for a youthful and expanding population .

Politically, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has undertaken high-profile anti-corruption campaigns that have resulted in the detention of senior officials and prominent businessmen.

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Has consolidated his power and removed potential rivals

While these measures are publicly framed as essential for modernizing institutions and rooting out corruption, they have also consolidated power around the Crown Prince and left political freedoms tightly controlled.

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Has consolidated his power and removed potential rivals

What internal changes has MBS implemented in Saudi Arabia?

Suppressed dissent--especially Islamist opposition

Notably, criticisms persist regarding the imprisonment of activists, including women’s rights defenders, even as the state celebrates reforms .

Internationally, reactions to MBS’s reforms have been mixed.

Title:

Content: His Highness the Crown Prince
Since assuming the crown prince nearly seven years ago, many observers have seen that Prince Mohammed bin Salman will radically change traditional concepts locally, rehabilitate institutions and structure, fight corruption, and reconsider the kingdom ’ s relations with the world.
He outlined his strategic ideas in the ambitious Vision 2030.
This sudden change in the Saudi system of government has left many Western followers - so-called allies and friends - confused, and tried their best to approach it and learn about its methodology in managing the country politically, economically, socially and culturally.
What struck them was that it began with the big heads around which there were many charges of corruption and abuse of influence for the purposes of illicit enrichment, including members of the royal family.
He wanted to tell the world that the Kingdom is not an open house for looters, exploiters and reputational abusers; rather, guards who are keen on its security, stability, independence and cultural and religious specificity, do not accept compromise on its interests and principles, and do not accept any dictates or interference in its internal affairs under various pretexts.
“We are not a banana republic, ” Mohammed bin Salman told them, and those who want to deal with us have to deal with fairness, equality and mutual respect; otherwise, there are many alternatives and options in this world.
Like all the changes, Prince Mohammed has faced resistance from the forces of reverse tension and currents driven by external agendas and suggestions, as well as obstacles as a result of the fatal mistakes of some intruders, in addition to the war in Yemen, and from forces that believe that their political system and values are the highest; at a time when we see them suffer dozens of consequences in dealing with political and humanitarian issues when it comes to Arab and Islamic peoples.
The years that followed Prince Mohammed bin Salman ’ s accession to the throne were difficult and full of challenges and mines from regional, “friend ” and“ ally ” powers, but they were also years of steadfastness and victory. Despite the attempts to obscure the world scene, the prince ’ s glamour returned to shine in the wake of the Ukrainian crisis and its aftermath. Many observers saw it as a prelude to U.S. President Joe Biden ’ s visit to the kingdom next month.
An old proverb says, “If the elders come, preach the shadow, ” and it was the clearest example of this round that resolved outstanding differences and laid new foundations for cooperative relations in many fields.
Although Egypt is heavily indebted (about $350 billion), the Kingdom has not stopped extending its hand; the agreements amounted to nearly $8 billion in joint economic and investment projects, in addition to a financial deposit of billions.
As for Jordan, there is no doubt that the relations between the two brotherly countries went through stages of agreement in some issues and divergence in other issues, and during the visit the two parties put an end to all the confusion, and a clear agreement on the overall issues.
It is certain that the Kingdom, which extends a helping hand to many countries of the world, will not spare Jordan ’ s help; human relations and common ties must be strengthened, upgraded and preserved, as reflected in the tradition of King Abdullah II to His Highness the highest Jordanian medal, and in the warm embrace of His Highness the Crown Prince.
His visit to Turkey has been described as "unprecedented", as His Highness received the welcome and hospitality he deserves, which he has earned, and restored relations with Turkey to the previous one, after the differences have become a thing of the past.
"Turkey and Saudi Arabia confirm their intention to launch a new era of cooperation in bilateral relations, including political, economic, military and security," the statement said, stressing that "we intend to continue and develop cooperation on the basis of historical brotherhood to serve the future of the region."
There is no doubt that the strengthening of strategic relations serves the interests of the two brotherly countries, Turkey is a strong and reliable friend and its leadership positions are distinct; despite its membership in NATO, it is a "feisty" country and rejects the herd policy, and has proved this in diversifying its sources of weapons despite the anger of the US administration, and sided with Azerbaijan in its war against Ukraine. The United States withdrew its Patriot missiles.
In the talks with the leaders of the three countries, His Highness stressed the Kingdom's constants, especially with regard to the Palestinian issue and the rights of the Palestinian people, a position that the Kingdom will not compromise on in the upcoming talks with the American side.
The visit of His Highness the Crown Prince to Turkey aroused the anger of many parties, and during the reception ceremony of His Highness in the countries he visited, he drew the attention of everyone that His Highness broke the protocol of bow to the guard of honor, and replaced it with the greeting of Islam "Peace be upon you".
Muhammad bin Salman does not bow to anyone except Allah and then to the father of the people, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, so his lovers said.
O son of Salman and Abu Salman..
You're the boobs?
You are the glory, the glory and the future, and you will not fail us, and we are the pledge of loyalty to you and God with you.
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Western governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have expressed cautious optimism about progress, especially in women’s rights and economic openness.

How has Vision 2030 affected women's rights and workforce participation?

Strengthened women's rights
gender equality

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

However, prominent Western organizations such as Human Rights Watch and governmental bodies like the U.S. State Department continue to express concern over the continued arrests of critics and activists.

What internal changes has MBS implemented in Saudi Arabia?

Suppressed dissent--especially Islamist opposition

The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 remains a flashpoint, prompting calls in the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament for stricter oversight of arms sales and commercial ties with Saudi Arabia.

These ongoing concerns underscore the tension between recognition of progress and unresolved human rights issues .

Saudi-U.S. relations, deeply rooted in mutual economic and security interests, have evolved alongside the reforms.

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

While the Khashoggi case strained the relationship and led to critical scrutiny in American political discourse, a spirit of pragmatic engagement has since re-emerged.

President Joe Biden’s July 2022 visit to Jeddah included high-level discussions on issues such as energy coordination, security cooperation, and future economic ties.

Major American companies—including Google, Lucid Motors, and Boeing—have entered large-scale partnerships and investments as part of Vision 2030’s effort to attract expertise and innovation from the United States.

How has Saudi Arabia diversified its economy under Vision 2030?

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy
To attract foreign investment

These business deals signal a recalibration of bilateral ties with an emphasis on modernization and shared strategic interests .

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

In summary, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 has triggered unmistakable shifts in Saudi Arabia: economic data reflects robust foreign investment and falling unemployment; women’s workforce participation has more than doubled; and the social landscape is being reshaped as secular influence grows at the expense of traditional religious authorities.

How has Vision 2030 affected women's rights and workforce participation?

And women's workforce participation doubled to 36%

How has the role of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice changed under Muhammad bin Salman?

No longer acts as the de facto religious police.

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy
To attract foreign investment

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Alongside these advances are formidable challenges such as persistent youth unemployment, resistance to privatization, and sustained criticism from Western governments and NGOs.

While limits on political expression and high-profile controversies remain points of contention, reforms are recalibrating Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the United States and other global partners, gradually shifting Western perspectives on a country long known for its conservatism and closed society.

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?