The 'Revelation' in need: HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Before his father's ascent to the throne in 2015, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud was unknown, hidden in the shadows of Saudi Arabia. In just a short span of 8 years, this 38-year-old crown prince has risen to become the unrivaled leader of the world's foremost oil titan.

Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS

Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud has been a game-changer in the conservative Gulf kingdom. He's not just a force to be reckoned with; he's the man who calls the shots. He's tightened his grip on power at home and forged influential alliances abroad. So, whether you sing his praises or throw stones, you simply can't sweep MBS under the rug.

On 21st September, in a historic and rare move, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, sat down for an exclusive interview with Fox News' Bret Baier. During the all-English interview on the artificial island of Sindalah, Mohammed-bin-Salman flawlessly spoke of his visions to lead Saudi Arabia through a transformative era of modernization. During the interview, Baier posed questions to Mohammed bin Salman, focusing on his widely acclaimed Saudi reform agenda, Vision 2030. 

The interview revealed that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia lays major importance on monitoring his kingdom's GDP. Mohammed-bin-Salman has acknowledged that he doesn't mind allegations of "sportswashing" if it contributes to the country's GDP growth. MBS stated that he is willing to engage in the so-called "sportswashing" as long as it contributes to GDP growth.

 

REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool

When asked about the recent G20 accord on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor; Mohammed-bin-Salman exerted confidence that he is willing to invest in the realization of the IMEC. He views this initiative as a means to significantly reduce fuel consumption, streamline logistics, and cut down time on transportation. MBS recognizes that participating in the new Economic Corridor will boost production and contribute to its influence on the supply and demand dynamics in Europe and India. The Crown Prince expressed Saudi Arabia's intent to transform its energy partnership with India. He up-votes the proposed economic corridor to Europe via the UAE as Saudi Arabia could significantly benefit from green India’s hydrogen production by 2030.

The Crown Prince expressed his ambitions for greater global influence by joining the G7. The failure to align with the standards set by the G7 comes, has led him to explore potential membership in BRICS. As Saudi Arabia gets an invitation to join the BRICS, Mohammed-bin-Salman emphasized that the potential interest in joining BRICS is not intended as a challenge to the West or the G7.

 

 Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS

He quoted that his kingdom is the fastest-growing G20 economy, with an impressive 8.7% GDP growth in 2022.  MBS appears conscious of the 59% decline in foreign direct investment in 2022. But his mega-projects like the NEOM city and the Red Sea Project, are geared towards economic impact.

The key takeaway from the interview was Saudi Arabia’s developing ties with Israel. MBS has been encouraging Gulf allies to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel. His interview aligns with his past record of dealing with Israel.

 

 Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS

In September 2020, MBS through a mediation with former U.S. president Donald Trump, permitted the use of Saudi Arabia’s airspace for Israeli flights. It was a signal of a shift in regional dynamics towards Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in turn made a trip to Saudi Arabia to meet Mohammed-bin-Salman and former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in November 2020. Now, it is well known that MBS is inaudibly influencing regional allies, like Sudan and Oman, to come up with Arab-Israeli peace formulas.

 

As of records, former Chief of General Staff of Israel’s Defense Forces, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, pointed out Iran's regional activities in 2017. Eisenkot branded Iran as the "real and largest threat to the region" and stressed the need to confront it. Eisenkot also expressed Israel's readiness to share intel and cooperate with Saudi Arabia in addressing the Iranian threat. Eisenkot’s words turned true in 2019. The 2019 drone attacks on Saudi oil fields by Houthi rebels backed by Iran, intensified tensions in the Gulf.

 

A missile unveiled by Iran is launched in an unknown location in Iran in this picture received by Reuters on August 20, 2020. WANA (West Asia News Agency)

While the Crown Prince has historically taken a tough stance against Iran and its proxies, his response to this interview can be multifaceted. Four years after Houthi rebels managed to hit facilities deep in Saudi territory, MBS still has a dicey approach to Iran. In this interview, MBS made it clear that his next steps would be seriously influenced by peace offerings from Iran. MBS won’t back from securing a nuke, if Iran successfully develops one.

 

Joe Biden sits with Benjamin Netanyahu, March 9, 2010. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

With Israel in his sight, it is obvious that MBS recognizes the potential benefits of cooperation with the U.S. and Israel, particularly in the areas of countering Iran's nuclear research. The 38-year-old prince may be open to closer ties with Israel, but he is aware that Iran and other Gulf nations have varying positions on their commitments to the Palestinian cause. Saudi Arabia's leadership in the region means that any steps it takes regarding Israel must consider not only its own interests but also the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) dynamics and the Arab world's sentiment towards the Palestinian issue.