Brian Ross Investigates - Inside the Secret Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

TL;DR

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, maintains power through social reforms and clamping down on dissent, including the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He also indulges in extravagant acquisitions of wealth and seeks to maintain a strong relationship with the Trump administration.

Transcript

and now to a rare inside look into the secretive royal family of saudi arabia overseen by a new crown prince who manages great wealth and people who have committed murder rhonda he's the 35 year old crown prince of the kingdom of saudi arabia muhammad bin salman more commonly known by his initials mbs brian we're joined now by justin check and brad... Read More

Key Insights

• ✊ MBS's pursuit of power involves a complex mix of social reforms, suppression of dissent, and tackling external threats.
• 🤨 The murder of Jamal Khashoggi raised concerns about MBS's involvement, as his associates carried out the killing but likely based on his perceived wishes.
• 🥳 MBS's extravagant spending, including lavish parties, luxury yacht acquisitions, and artworks, demonstrates his newfound wealth and status symbols.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does MBS maintain power in Saudi Arabia?

MBS maintains power by implementing social reforms to appease the country's young population while suppressing dissent to protect the royal family. This includes addressing external threats like Iran and Qatar.

Q: Who was responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi?

Although MBS claims he did not directly order the murder, his associates carried out the killing, likely based on what they believed were his wishes. Their actions were seen as acting on his behalf.

Q: How does MBS acquire and display wealth?

As the crown prince, MBS gains access to a significant portion of the royal family's oil profits and other financial resources. He indulges in extravagant purchases, such as hosting expensive parties, buying luxury yachts, and acquiring priceless artworks.

Q: What is the importance of MBS's relationship with the Trump administration?

MBS strategically cultivated a relationship with the Trump administration, which played a crucial role in his rise to power and serves as a means to maintain his position. He aims to impress and honor Trump, as well as secure foreign policy wins for the US-Saudi relationship.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Crown Prince MBS is focused on maintaining his own and his family's power in Saudi Arabia through social reforms and suppressing dissent.

• The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was carried out by MBS's associates, although the prince claims he did not directly order it.

• MBS indulges in lavish spending, including a month-long party in the Maldives, purchasing a high-end yacht, and acquiring priceless artworks.