Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, stands as a prominent figure in the Arab world, reportedly wielding significant influence over the kingdom. His path to power, however, involved complex maneuvers. After King Abdullah’s death in January 2015, King Salman took the throne, initially designating Muqrin as the Crown Prince.
However, just a few months later, King Salman replaced Muqrin, appointing Mohammed bin Nayef as the new Crown Prince. Simultaneously, he made his young son, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister. At 29, MBS was new to the political scene but began to establish his influence within the King’s circle immediately.
One tactic MBS employed was isolating King Salman from trusted advisors and family, even restricting access to the King’s own wife. Some reports allege that MBS put his mother and sisters under house arrest, misleading the King about their whereabouts.
The Defense Minister role provided a platform for MBS to expand his influence. He reportedly ordered military intervention in Yemen, which, despite initial support, was later criticized for the significant civilian casualties.
In a decisive move, King Salman decided to make MBS the direct Crown Prince. This meant removing the existing Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Nayef. In June 2017, Nayef was summoned to the palace under false pretenses and detained. He was reportedly denied his medication for diabetes and pressured to resign. Simultaneously, a phone poll of 34 royal family members took place, with the majority supporting MBS’s ascension. Exhausted, Nayef eventually signed the resignation papers.
A propaganda video then circulated, depicting Nayef pledging allegiance to the King. This video was broadcast widely.
Following his resignation, Nayef was placed under house arrest, and his financial assets were frozen. Furthermore, accusations of substance abuse were brought against him, serving to justify the change in leadership to the public.
Through carefully orchestrated actions, Mohammed bin Salman secured his position as the Crown Prince, with his influence now visible across the kingdom.