Current Events
Saudi Spring Break
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on multi-week “charm offensive” across the U.S.
Oprah, Bill Gates (Microsoft), Rupert Murdoch (21st Century Fox), Elon Musk (Tesla), Tim Cook (Apple), Bob Iger (Disney) & others on itinerary.
Flip: Why now?
Current Events
Who Is This Prince?
- 32-year-old seen as “reformer” socially & economically.
- Reportedly behind changes like allowing Saudi women to drive.
- Advocates “moderate Islam” & taking a stronger stance against terror financing by Gulf States.
- Wants to spearhead more outside investment in Saudi Arabia – “Saudi Vision 2030” – to diversify the economy.
Current Events
Saudi Arabia & USA
- Iran = Mutual adversary.
- Cracking down on terror financing. Saudi Arabia’s role debated in past.
- Oil. Saudi Arabia is #1 oil exporter in the world, making it a powerful potential partner. It’s economy is built on (& vulnerable) to fluctuations in the oil market.
Current Events
Why Now?
High Unemployment: Youth (15-24-year-olds) reportedly 32%.
Chaos in Middle East: Saudi wants to emerge as leader as Syria, Iraq, Yemen in disarray.
Yemen: Saudi Arabia & Iran fighting proxy war in Yemen. Saudis share border w/Yemen & want to prevent Iran-backed forces from taking power. Saudis need firepower – literally & symbolically – from U.S.
Current Events
Reminder: 15 of the 19 hijackers on 9/11 were from Saudi Arabia. The Saudi & American relationship is nuanced:
Read
Sources
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Is Visiting the U.S. This Week. Here’s What to Expect: fortune.com/2018/03/19/mohammed-bin-salman-us-trump/
- Saudi Prince to Meet With Oprah Winfrey During Mohammed Bin Salmana s U.S. Charm Offensive: Report: www.newsweek.com/saudi-prince-meet-oprah-winfrey-during-mohammed-bin-salmans-us-charm-offensive-863836
- Rupert Murdoch, Oprah, Ari Emanuela |So Who Is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Meeting During U.S. Charm Offensive And Why?: deadline.com/2018/03/rupert-murdoch-oprah-winfrey-ari-emanuel-saudi-arabia-crown-prince-1202355419/
- Cher Wants Saudi Crown Prince to Free Royal Detainee: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-31/u-s-singer-cher-wants-saudi-crown-prince-to-free-royal-detainee
- Follow the prince here:A https://twitter.com/SaudiEmbassyUSA
- Read from 2016 – but a good one: Since that time, MBS has moved into the position as next in line to the crown:Many young Saudis admire him as an energetic representative of their generation who has addressed some of the countrya s problems with uncommon bluntness. The kingdoma s news media have built his image as a hardworking, businesslike leader less concerned than his predecessors with the trappings of royalty.Others see him as a power-hungry upstart who is risking instability by changing too much, too fast.A https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/16/world/rise-of-saudi-prince-shatters-decades-of-royal-tradition.html?