CONTEMPORARY EURASIA VOLUME VIII (1) ContemporaryEurasia81 | Page 34

SAUDI ARABIA ON THE ROAD TO MODERNIZATION: REALITY OR MYTH?
ARAKS PASHAYAN
SAUDI ARABIA ON THE ROAD TO MODERNIZATION:
REALITY OR MYTH?
Abstract: In June 2017, King Salman of Saudi Arabia has appointed his
son Mohammed bin Salman (also known as MBS), as crown prince
replacing his nephew, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef 1 , as first in line to
the throne. King Salman bin ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, a son of King ‘Abd al-‘Aziz
Аl Saud the founder of Saudi Arabia, acceded to the throne in January
2015 after the death of his half-brother Abdullah bin ‘Abd al-‘Aziz.
Mohammed bin Salman is currently serving as the country's deputy
prime minister (the title of prime minister being held by the King) and
is also chairman of the Council for economic and development affairs,
chairman of the Council of political and security affairs, and minister of
defence. In 2016 Mohammed bin Salman set out a possibly over-
ambitious development plan "Saudi Vision 2030". Bin Salman’s
progressive advancement was suggesting that the matter of succession
in Saudi Arabia was already resolved, and that King Salman intends to
surmount the possible royal intrigues and fierce competition to make his
son King of Saudi Arabia. Prince Mohammed bin Salman could,
potentially, lead Saudi Arabia for decades.
Keywords: Saudi Arabia, reforms, moderate Islam, Iran, Shi’ism,
Wahhabism, ultra conservatism, religious fundamentalism, human
rights
Introduction
Mohammed bin Salman has offered a plan for the modernization of
Saudi Arabia. The reform programme aims to overhaul most aspects of
social, economic and religious life in the Kingdom. According to official
data, the Crown Prince is working on improving the rights of women in the
Kingdom and expanding their role in the work force. Women’s appointment
1
Prince Mohammed bin Nayef (born 30 August, 1959) is a prominent member of the House of
Saud. He was the Kingdom's security chief for many years and was known for his strong
stance against jihadist militants. As deputy prime minister and interior minister, he headed up
the counter-terrorism portfolio. Muhammad's father Nayef was one of the Sudairi Seven, a
power bloc of sons of the Kingdom's founder, King Abdel Aziz (known as Ibn Saud),
and Hussa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi. Thus, Prince Muhammad was born to an especially
privileged position in the House of Saud dynasty: a paternal grandson of the founding
monarch, and child of one of the original King's favourite sons. Two of Prince Muhammad's
full uncles, Fahd and Salman, have reigned as King during Muhammad's lifetime.
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