Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
📖

Mohammed bin Salman

society Maturity 7-9 politics Next article →

This article covers sensitive topics: politics. Parents can manage visibility in Parental Controls.

Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud is the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia.

The Prime Minister arrives in Saudi Arabia (53270521280)
The Prime Minister arrives in Saudi Arabia (53270521280)

He holds the formal titles of Crown Prince and Prime Minister. As Crown Prince, he is the heir apparent to the throne. This means he is the next person in line to become King. He is the seventh son of the current King, Salman bin Abdulaziz. He is also the grandson of Ibn Saud, the founder of the nation. Mohammed was born on 31 August 1985 to King Salman and Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain. He studied law at King Saud University and graduated second in his class.

His rise to power involved many different roles in government. He began as a special advisor to his father in 2009. At that time, his father served as the governor of Riyadh Province. Mohammed later worked as a consultant for the Experts Commission for the Saudi Cabinet. After King Salman became king in 2015, Mohammed's responsibilities grew quickly. He was appointed as the minister of defence and secretary general of the royal court. In 2017, he was promoted to the position of crown prince. Finally, in 2022, he succeeded his father as the prime minister.

Mohammed has introduced many social and economic reforms through his leadership. He created a plan called Saudi Vision 2030 to change the country. This program aims to reduce the economy's heavy reliance on oil. He wants to invest in new sectors like technology, tourism, and sport. He also seeks to limit the influence of the Wahhabi religious establishment. This includes restricting the powers of the religious police. He has also improved rights for women in the kingdom. For example, he removed the ban on female drivers in 2018. In 2019, he worked to weaken the male-guardianship system.

2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony (2018-06-14) 29
2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony (2018-06-14) 29

His foreign policy aims to increase Saudi Arabia's international influence. He has worked to attract more foreign investment to the country. Mohammed has coordinated energy policy with Russia and strengthened ties with China. He also became a major non-NATO ally of the United States.

Secretary Kerry and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Foreign Minister al-Jubeir Prepare for Their Meeting Followed by an Iftar Dinner in Washington (27633866176)
Secretary Kerry and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Foreign Minister al-Jubeir Prepare for Their Meeting Followed by an Iftar Dinner in Washington (27633866176)

He has expanded relations with emerging economies in Africa, Asia, and South America. However, he has also been involved in several major international disputes. He was the architect of the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen. He was also involved in the Qatar diplomatic crisis and a 2018 dispute with Canada. Furthermore, he was a key instigator of the 2026 Iran War.

In 2017, Mohammed led a major anti-corruption campaign. This campaign was used to target competing political and economic elites. In November 2017, he ordered about 200 wealthy businessmen and princes to be held at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh.

Vladimir Putin and Mohammad bin Salman (2018-06-14) 02
Vladimir Putin and Mohammad bin Salman (2018-06-14) 02

Many of these individuals, including Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, were arrested. The government claimed these people were involved in corruption and money laundering. During this period, many detainees were treated very poorly. Some were beaten, denied sleep, or held in stress positions. US officials described these actions as coercion and torture. This purge helped Mohammed centralize power over Saudi politics. The government seized assets and cash worth up to US$800 billion.

Mohammed leads an authoritarian government in Saudi Arabia. This means the government holds strict control over the country. Political dissidents are often repressed by the state. This repression includes imprisonment, torture, and executions. Some people have even been punished for criticizing the government online. A 2021 report from the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) addressed a serious event. The report found that Mohammed had ordered the assassination of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This event remains a significant part of his international reputation.

His leadership connects to many global systems. His economic plans link Saudi Arabia to the global technology and tourism markets. His military decisions affect the stability of the Middle East and beyond. His energy policies influence global oil prices and international relations. Through his alliances, he connects Saudi Arabia to the United States, China, and Russia. These connections show how much one leader can affect the entire world.

Secretary Blinken Meets with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman
Secretary Blinken Meets with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman
670 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (26)
File:Barack Obama's trip to Saudi Arabia April 2016 (9).jpg
Barack Obama's trip to Saudi Arabia April...
File:Secretary Kerry and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Foreign Minister al-Jubeir Prepare for Their Meeting Followed by an Iftar Dinner in Washington (27633866176).jpg
Secretary Kerry and Saudi Deputy Crown...
File:P20251119DT-0127.jpg
P20251119DT-0127.jpg
File:2019 Bilateral Arábia Saudita 04.jpg
2019 Bilateral Arábia Saudita 04.jpg
File:22- Public Square (My Trip To Al-Jenadriyah 32) (cropped).jpg
22- Public Square (My Trip To...
File:Bin Salman - the Butcher of Yemen.jpg
Bin Salman - the Butcher of Yemen.jpg
File:Mohammad bin Salman with James Mattis in Washington - 2018 (40062275145).jpg
Mohammad bin Salman with James Mattis in...
File:The Prime Minister arrives in Saudi Arabia (53270521280).jpg
The Prime Minister arrives in Saudi...
File:Vladimir Putin and Mohammad bin Salman (2018-06-14) 02.jpg
Vladimir Putin and Mohammad bin Salman...
File:President Trump at the G20 (48162361462).jpg
President Trump at the G20 (48162361462).jpg
File:President Joe Biden stands with leaders of the GCC countries, Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan.jpg
President Joe Biden stands with leaders...
File:Secretary Blinken Meets with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.jpg
Secretary Blinken Meets with Saudi Crown...

+ 14 more

More to explore

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.