MBS: The Rise to Power of Mohammed Bin Salman
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Author Description
A Financial Times Book Best Book of the Year 2020 A Foreign Affairs Best Book of the Year 2020 The gripping, untold story of how Saudi Arabia's secretive and mercurial new ruler rose to power. Even in his youth as a prince among thousands of princes, Mohammed bin Salman nurtured sweeping ambitions. He wanted power – enough of it to reshape his hyper-conservative, insular Islamic kingdom.When his elderly father took the throne in 2015, MBS got his chance. As the hands-on-ruler, he made seismic changes, working doggedly to overhaul the kingdom's economy, loosen its strict Islamic social codes and confront nearby enemies, especially Iran. His vision initially won fans at home and abroad as he convinced other nations that the moment had come to bet big on Saudi Arabia. Over time, however, the sheen of the visionary young reformer has tarnished, leaving many wondering whether MBS is actually an aspiring dictator whose lack of experience and rash decisions are destabilizing the world's most volatile region.Based on years of reporting and hundreds of covert interviews, MBS provides new insights into Saudi Arabia’s catastrophic military intervention in Yemen, the bizarre detention of the Lebanese prime minister, the surprise arrest of hundreds of princes and businessmen, and the greatest scandal of the young prince's rise: the brutal murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi state officials with links to MBS – a crime that shocked the world.A riveting portrait of a determined autocrat on the rise, MBS asks how one man’s actions and obsessions are shaking the Middle East.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
The book investigates the complex and often ruthless ascent of Mohammed bin Salman to absolute power within Saudi Arabia. Ben Hubbard's work, drawing on extensive reporting and hundreds of interviews, details Mohammed bin Salman's (MBS) ambitious drive to reshape Saudi Arabia. It examines his early pursuit of power, his father's ascension to the throne, and MBS's subsequent sweeping economic and social reforms, as well as his confrontational foreign policy, particularly towards Iran. The narrative also scrutinizes the darker aspects of his rule, including the intervention in Yemen, the detention of the Lebanese prime minister, the arrests of princes and businessmen, and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, questioning whether his actions are those of a visionary reformer or a destabilizing autocrat.
THE SCOPE MAP
- Detailed account of Mohammed bin Salman's early life and ambitions.
- Analysis of his strategic moves to consolidate power after his father's accession.
- Examination of key policy initiatives: economic overhaul, social liberalization, and foreign policy.
- In-depth reporting on controversial events: Yemen intervention, Khashoggi murder, and detentions.
- Exploration of the dual perception of MBS as a reformer versus a potential dictator.
- Insights derived from years of reporting and hundreds of covert interviews.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
This book has been recognized as a Best Book of the Year by both the Financial Times and Foreign Affairs in 2020, indicating significant critical acclaim. The reception highlights its gripping narrative and the untold story of Mohammed bin Salman's rise to power. Reviewers have noted its deep dive into controversial events, positioning it as a crucial read for understanding contemporary Middle Eastern politics and the impact of MBS's actions. The work is regarded as a riveting portrait that probes the motivations and consequences of a powerful autocrat's influence.
Page Count:
384
Publication Date:
2020-03-10
Publisher:
HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN-10:
0008340579
ISBN-13:
9780008340575
True Crime
History
Non-Fiction
Politics
Biography
Asia history
Heads Of State
World
Biography Autobiography
Political
Middle East
Middle Eastern
Murder
Current Events
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