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 Salman’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 Emanuel…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: 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 country’s problems with uncommon bluntness. The kingdom’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. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/16/world/rise-of-saudi-prince-shatters-decades-of-royal-tradition.html?