Explained: Who is MBS, what is the significance of his meeting with the US president? | Explained News,The Indian Express

MBS, 36, first rose to power from relative obscurity when his father, King Salman acceded to the throne in 2015 and subsequently made his son in-charge of important government sectors.

For the first time since taking office, US President Joe Biden arrived at the Saudi city of Jeddah on July 15 and met Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, also known by his initials MBS. Biden’s visit, which began with a fist bump with MBS, marked Washington’s attempt to thaw diplomatic relations with Riyadh, stabilise global energy markets and strengthen regional security.

Critics have accused Biden of making a U-turn on his earlier stated position of making Saudi Arabia a “pariah” for its alleged role the assassination of The Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

Who is MBS?

MBS, 36, first rose to power from relative obscurity when his father, King Salman acceded to the throne in 2015 and subsequently made his son in-charge of important government sectors, such as defence, economy and oil. Today, he is the most influential figure in Saudi Arabia and seen as the power behind the throne.

In 2017, King Salman replaced his nephew Mohammad bin Naeyf and made his son the crown prince, placing him next in line for the throne. MBS further consolidated his grip on power in November 2018, when as part of an “anti-corruption campaign”, he ordered the detention of several powerful and wealthy businessmen, including many of his own royal kin. To end their detention, they had to hand over expensive real estate and shares of their companies to the government, the New York Times reported.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-who-is-mbs-significance-meeting-us-president-8035030/


Post ID: 6eddcc00-89ab-49d5-a21a-38a2f67ab306
Rating: 5
Updated: 1 year ago
Your ad can be here
Create Post

Similar classified ads


News's other ads