The 33-year-old Mohammed bin Salman has got away with quite a lot since his elevation 16 months ago to the role of heir-apparent to the throne. While bin Salman is the king’s favourite, his position will not be secure until this group endorses him. Jamal KhashoggiAlready, bin Salman has lost some key allies or supporters who should be central to his aims. Whether bin Salman is the individual able to reform Saudi Arabia and lead it is becoming increasingly questionable. Yet in the end, how central bin Salman should be to America’s broader goals in the region remains questionable.

Source: Irish Examiner October 16, 2018 22:52 UTC