Breaking the Deadlock and Rising: Bin Salman Leads Saudi Arabia's Power Reshaping and Geopolitical Breakthrough

Since King Salman of Saudi Arabia ascended to the throne, his son, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), has swiftly consolidated power and launched a series of radical reforms and grand strategies spanning the economy, society, and foreign relations. This trillion-dollar "gamble" has not only reshaped Saudi Arabia's domestic power structure but also profoundly impacted the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. It reflects Saudi Arabia's efforts to break away from traditional dependency models and reconsider its role in the global power dynamics. This article will delve into the strategic maneuvers, successes, and setbacks of the past decade in power, unveiling the essence of authority beneath the facade of the "Saudi Dream."

I. Power Transition: The Rise of MBS

Breaking the traditional beginning of power.

On the day of month and year, King Salman of Saudi Arabia ascended to the throne, breaking the long-standing tradition of "brother-to-brother" succession in the kingdom. For the first time, he appointed his brother Muqrin as the Crown Prince. More crucially, the king simultaneously appointed his son, **Mohammed bin Salman**, as the Minister of Defense, granting the young prince direct control over the nation's military power and laying a core foundation for his subsequent rise to authority.

. Step-by-step concentration of power.

King Salman, just three months after his accession, deposed his brother Muqrin as Crown Prince citing "health reasons," and subsequently officially appointed MBS as the Deputy Crown Prince, concurrently serving as the Chairman of the Economic and Development Affairs Council. This position granted MBS authority over almost all ministries except defense, and the newly established Economic and Development Affairs Council effectively bypassed the traditional cabinet, placing the ultimate control of the nation's economic lifelines—Saudi Aramco and the Sovereign Wealth Fund—firmly in MBS's hands. King Salman, just three months after his accession, deposed his brother Muqrin as Crown Prince citing "health reasons," and subsequently officially appointed MBS as the Deputy Crown Prince, concurrently serving as the Chairman of the Economic and Development Affairs Council. This position granted MBS authority over almost all ministries except defense, and the newly established Economic and Development Affairs Council effectively bypassed the traditional cabinet, placing the ultimate control of the nation's economic lifelines—Saudi Aramco and the Sovereign Wealth Fund—firmly in MBS's hands.

In Saudi history, the appointment of a "Deputy Crown Prince" has been extremely rare and carried excessive power. This arrangement clearly signaled that the position of Crown Prince would eventually be fully secured. The primary reason for not directly appointing him as Crown Prince at the time was his relative youth, as he needed to accumulate political achievements to win the support of various domestic factions.

II. Crisis and Reform: The Near-Bankrupt Land of the Nouveau Riche

. An imminent fiscal crisis

While gradually consolidating power, Saudi Arabia is facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis. The World Bank's annual report warns that without timely fiscal reforms, the country risks bankruptcy. The root causes of this crisis primarily stem from three aspects:

First, Single Revenue Structure: Oil revenue accounts for 85%-92% of Saudi Arabia's total national income. Economic development is entirely dependent on oil resources, resulting in extremely poor risk resilience. Second, Impact of Oil Price Plunge: The sharp decline in international oil prices in 2014 directly led to Saudi Arabia's fiscal deficit reaching a record $98 billion in 2015, accounting for 24% of GDP. Third, Inflexible Expenditure Structure: For a long time, Saudi Arabia has supported its 21 million citizens through a super high-welfare system to secure political compliance from the populace. Data shows that over two-thirds of Saudi employees work in the public sector (far exceeding Norway's 31.1% and Japan's 8.2%). The average monthly salary in the public sector exceeds $3,500, and half of the annual fiscal expenditure is used to directly pay salaries and benefits to citizens. First, Single Revenue Structure: Oil revenue accounts for 85%-92% of Saudi Arabia's total national income. Economic development is entirely dependent on oil resources, resulting in extremely poor risk resilience. Second, Impact of Oil Price Plunge: The sharp decline in international oil prices in 2014 directly led to Saudi Arabia's fiscal deficit reaching a record $98 billion in 2015, accounting for 24% of GDP. Third, Inflexible Expenditure Structure: For a long time, Saudi Arabia has supported its 21 million citizens through a super high-welfare system to secure political compliance from the populace. Data shows that over two-thirds of Saudi employees work in the public sector (far exceeding Norway's 31.1% and Japan's 8.2%). The average monthly salary in the public sector exceeds $3,500, and half of the annual fiscal expenditure is used to directly pay salaries and benefits to citizens.

Reform measures to save the critical situation.

Upon assuming power, MBS swiftly introduced three radical reform measures to address the crisis: First, he significantly cut almost all state subsidies while freezing some civil servant benefits; second, for the first time in Saudi Arabia's nearly tax-free history, he introduced a Value-Added Tax, gradually raising the rate from 5% to 15%; third, leveraging the subsequent recovery in international oil prices, he temporarily averted bankruptcy, buying breathing room for his grand strategic plans ahead. Upon assuming power, MBS swiftly introduced three radical reform measures to address the crisis: First, he significantly cut almost all state subsidies while freezing some civil servant benefits; second, for the first time in Saudi Arabia's nearly tax-free history, he introduced a Value-Added Tax, gradually raising the rate from 5% to 15%; third, leveraging the subsequent recovery in international oil prices, he temporarily averted bankruptcy, buying breathing room for his grand strategic plans ahead.

III. Vision: Drawing the Blueprint for the "Saudi Dream"

The blueprint for the "Saudi Dream" has been unveiled.

To achieve economic transformation and social stability, the MBS team, after more than a year of planning, officially launched the national strategy—"Vision 2030". This strategy candidly acknowledges Saudi Arabia's dangerous dependence on oil and clearly proposes building a new, high-tech, and diversified Saudi Arabia, painting a grand blueprint for the country's future development. To achieve economic transformation and social stability, the MBS team, after more than a year of planning, officially launched the national strategy—"Vision 2030". This strategy candidly acknowledges Saudi Arabia's dangerous dependence on oil and clearly proposes building a new, high-tech, and diversified Saudi Arabia, painting a grand blueprint for the country's future development.

"Vision 2030" has garnered immense support within Saudi Arabia, particularly among the youth (in 2017, over 60% of Saudi Arabia's population was under the age of 30). The reason lies in the fact that the old "silent contract" (high welfare in exchange for obedience) primarily benefited the older generation. The youth, facing high unemployment rates, did not fully benefit from the traditional welfare system. Consequently, they hold great expectations for the diverse development opportunities promised by "Vision 2030"."Vision 2030" has garnered immense support within Saudi Arabia, particularly among the youth (in 2017, over 60% of Saudi Arabia's population was under the age of 30). The reason lies in the fact that the old "silent contract" (high welfare in exchange for obedience) primarily benefited the older generation. The youth, facing high unemployment rates, did not fully benefit from the traditional welfare system. Consequently, they hold great expectations for the diverse development opportunities promised by "Vision 2030".

Core Project: The Ambition of Neom

Under the framework of "Vision 2030", MBS announced the super futuristic city project known as the "dream-level" – "NEOM". The project plans an area of 26,500 square kilometers, claiming to be equipped with cutting-edge facilities such as flying taxis, artificial moons, and sand that glows at night. Its core highlight is the 170-kilometer-long, 500-meter-high linear city "The Line", designed to accommodate 9 million residents. Under the framework of "Vision 2030", MBS announced the super futuristic city project known as the "dream-level" – "NEOM". The project plans an area of 26,500 square kilometers, claiming to be equipped with cutting-edge facilities such as flying taxis, artificial moons, and sand that glows at night. Its core highlight is the 170-kilometer-long, 500-meter-high linear city "The Line", designed to accommodate 9 million residents.

The essence of the project: the time and contract of power.

In fact, whether these "spectacular architecture" projects can be ultimately completed is not MBS's primary goal. Their core value is reflected in two aspects: first, weaving the "Saudi Dream", by depicting a high-tech, environmentally friendly, and open lifestyle to attract the younger generation, reaching a new social contract with them, and consolidating the public opinion foundation for his own rule; second, buying time, using grand dreams to divert domestic attention from the pains of reform, creating favorable conditions for MBS to reshape the domestic power structure and consolidate his personal authority. In fact, whether these "spectacular architecture" projects can be ultimately completed is not MBS's primary goal. Their core value is reflected in two aspects: first, weaving the "Saudi Dream", by depicting a high-tech, environmentally friendly, and open lifestyle to attract the younger generation, reaching a new social contract with them, and consolidating the public opinion foundation for his own rule; second, buying time, using grand dreams to divert domestic attention from the pains of reform, creating favorable conditions for MBS to reshape the domestic power structure and consolidate his personal authority.

IV. Power Purge: "Anti-Corruption" and Trillion-Yuan Financing

. Power reshuffling under the guise of anti-corruption

Just 11 days after announcing the "NEOM" project, MBS swiftly announced the establishment of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Committee and personally assumed its chairmanship. This committee was granted immense powers that supersede existing laws. Within mere hours, over 200 Saudi princes, government ministers, and wealthy businessmen were arrested. The arrest location was the very same hotel where MBS had previously announced his "NEOM" dream—the Riyadh Ritz-Carlton Hotel. This luxury hotel transformed overnight into "the world's most luxurious prison." Just 11 days after announcing the "NEOM" project, MBS swiftly announced the establishment of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Committee and personally assumed its chairmanship. This committee was granted immense powers that supersede existing laws. Within mere hours, over 200 Saudi princes, government ministers, and wealthy businessmen were arrested. The arrest location was the very same hotel where MBS had previously announced his "NEOM" dream—the Riyadh Ritz-Carlton Hotel. This luxury hotel transformed overnight into "the world's most luxurious prison."

. The core forces to be targeted for crackdown

The arrested officials encompass core figures from Saudi Arabia's power and wealth circles, including: the son of the former king and commander of the National Guard, Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah; the half-brother of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and chairman of the Bin Laden Group, Bakr bin Laden; and the Middle East's richest man, known as the "Warren Buffett of the Middle East," and a shareholder in many globally renowned companies, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, among others. The arrested officials encompass core figures from Saudi Arabia's power and wealth circles, including: the son of the former king and commander of the National Guard, Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah; the half-brother of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and chairman of the Bin Laden Group, Bakr bin Laden; and the Middle East's richest man, known as the "Warren Buffett of the Middle East," and a shareholder in many globally renowned companies, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, among others.

The Dual Benefits of Cleaning.

The core logic of this "anti-corruption" interrogation was "money or life," ultimately leading most detainees to exchange their freedom for surrendering substantial assets. This power purge achieved two key outcomes: first, raising massive funds, with assets seized through "settlements" exceeding $107 billion, which were injected into sovereign wealth funds, completing "armed financing" for "Vision 2030" and various megaprojects; second, establishing absolute authority, by targeting core royal family members and old elites, MBS completely dismantled Saudi Arabia's traditional power network and established unchallengeable personal authority. It is worth noting that the estimated number of Saudi royal family members ranges between 5,000 and 15,000, and this purge made all royal members and domestic forces clearly understand "who truly holds the power." The core logic of this "anti-corruption" interrogation was "money or life," ultimately leading most detainees to exchange their freedom for surrendering substantial assets. This power purge achieved two key outcomes: first, raising massive funds, with assets seized through "settlements" exceeding $107 billion, which were injected into sovereign wealth funds, completing "armed financing" for "Vision 2030" and various megaprojects; second, establishing absolute authority, by targeting core royal family members and old elites, MBS completely dismantled Saudi Arabia's traditional power network and established unchallengeable personal authority. It is worth noting that the estimated number of Saudi royal family members ranges between 5,000 and 15,000, and this purge made all royal members and domestic forces clearly understand "who truly holds the power."

V. Shadow Government: Purchasing a "Corporate Cabinet"

Bypassing the power shortcuts of the old bureaucracy.

The implementation of the "Vision" and various spectacular projects is extremely complex. Given the inefficiency and inadequacy of Saudi Arabia's traditional bureaucratic system, there is ample justification for bypassing the entire traditional bureaucracy. To ensure the smooth advancement of the strategy, the approach of "purchasing services" was chosen to establish a "shadow government" directly loyal to the leadership.

"Outsourced Governance" by Global Top Institutions.

MBS invested heavily to hire consultants from top global consulting firms such as McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, and Bain, forming a core advisory team. These consulting firms were deeply involved in the formulation of the "Vision 2030" national strategy and even directly intervened in the restructuring of Saudi ministries. As a result, a saying spread within the Saudi bureaucratic system: "The most powerful ministry in Saudi Arabia is called the Ministry of McKinsey." MBS invested heavily to hire consultants from top global consulting firms such as McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, and Bain, forming a core advisory team. These consulting firms were deeply involved in the formulation of the "Vision 2030" national strategy and even directly intervened in the restructuring of Saudi ministries. As a result, a saying spread within the Saudi bureaucratic system: "The most powerful ministry in Saudi Arabia is called the Ministry of McKinsey."

In addition to consulting firms, this "procured" "shadow government" also includes top financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Blackstone, and BlackRock, as well as the world's leading law firms and public relations companies. It is estimated that since 2016, Saudi Arabia has paid these global top-tier institutions a total remuneration ranging from $25 billion to $40 billion. In addition to consulting firms, this "procured" "shadow government" also includes top financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Blackstone, and BlackRock, as well as the world's leading law firms and public relations companies. It is estimated that since 2016, Saudi Arabia has paid these global top-tier institutions a total remuneration ranging from $25 billion to $40 billion.

The absolute execution system built by money.

MBS successfully purchased a highly efficient, professional, and exclusively loyal power execution system through massive funding, truly achieving a control effect where "no grass grows around power." From a historical perspective, this is not the first time Saudi Arabia has outsourced major government functions. For over half a century, Saudi Arabia's national security was outsourced to the United States through the "oil-for-security" agreement. Today, MBS has outsourced the core functions of domestic governance to global commercial companies, forming a unique model of "commercialized governance." MBS successfully purchased a highly efficient, professional, and exclusively loyal power execution system through massive funding, truly achieving a control effect where "no grass grows around power." From a historical perspective, this is not the first time Saudi Arabia has outsourced major government functions. For over half a century, Saudi Arabia's national security was outsourced to the United States through the "oil-for-security" agreement. Today, MBS has outsourced the core functions of domestic governance to global commercial companies, forming a unique model of "commercialized governance."

VI. Global Investment: Weaving a Diplomatic Network with Capital

The diplomatic logic of capital binding.

The MBS-led Saudi sovereign wealth fund is conducting large-scale investments globally. Its core logic is not merely commercial profit but rather packaging political decisions in a commercial form. By injecting capital, it establishes deep ties with global power elites and capital giants, thereby weaving a global diplomatic network that serves Saudi national interests. The MBS-led Saudi sovereign wealth fund is conducting large-scale investments globally. Its core logic is not merely commercial profit but rather packaging political decisions in a commercial form. By injecting capital, it establishes deep ties with global power elites and capital giants, thereby weaving a global diplomatic network that serves Saudi national interests.

The Political Implications of Typical Investment Cases.

Several typical investment cases clearly highlight this logic: In 2016, MBS met with Masayoshi Son, the founder of SoftBank Group, for only 45 minutes. After hearing Son's business blueprint, he immediately pledged to invest $45 billion in the SoftBank Vision Fund, averaging a decision of $1 billion per minute. The speed and scale of this decision clearly imply considerations beyond mere business. In 2021, six months after former President Trump left office, MBS, disregarding domestic opposition in the United States, invested $2 billion in the private equity fund of Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner—previously, during the Khashoggi incident which sparked significant U.S. criticism of Saudi Arabia, Kushner played a key role in easing U.S.-Saudi relations. This investment undoubtedly served as a "reward" for Kushner while also aiming to maintain ties with the former core of U.S. power. Several typical investment cases clearly highlight this logic: In 2016, MBS met with Masayoshi Son, the founder of SoftBank Group, for only 45 minutes. After hearing Son's business blueprint, he immediately pledged to invest $45 billion in the SoftBank Vision Fund, averaging a decision of $1 billion per minute. The speed and scale of this decision clearly imply considerations beyond mere business. In 2021, six months after former President Trump left office, MBS, disregarding domestic opposition in the United States, invested $2 billion in the private equity fund of Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner—previously, during the Khashoggi incident which sparked significant U.S. criticism of Saudi Arabia, Kushner played a key role in easing U.S.-Saudi relations. This investment undoubtedly served as a "reward" for Kushner while also aiming to maintain ties with the former core of U.S. power.

The core essence of "MBS-ism"

MBS's global investment portfolio is exceptionally broad, encompassing various assets such as Uber, Disney, South Korean gaming companies, the Premier League football club Newcastle United, and the Panama Canal. From a strategic perspective, "spectacle architecture" serves as MBS's core means of internally constructing a social contract and reshaping the power structure (domestic dimension); while "global investment" is his key pathway for externally achieving interest alignment and weaving a diplomatic network (foreign dimension). Together, they form the core of **"Ben Salmanism"**: using business logic to thoroughly reshape both the internal governance model and external international relations. MBS's global investment portfolio is exceptionally broad, encompassing various assets such as Uber, Disney, South Korean gaming companies, the Premier League football club Newcastle United, and the Panama Canal. From a strategic perspective, "spectacle architecture" serves as MBS's core means of internally constructing a social contract and reshaping the power structure (domestic dimension); while "global investment" is his key pathway for externally achieving interest alignment and weaving a diplomatic network (foreign dimension). Together, they form the core of **"Ben Salmanism"**: using business logic to thoroughly reshape both the internal governance model and external international relations.

Seven, A Decade in Review: Success, Failure, and the Ironic Reality

Economy and Projects: The Gap Between Ideal and Reality

Looking back at the decade under MBS's leadership, Saudi Arabia has faced periodic challenges in its economic transformation and the advancement of grand projects, yet it has also accumulated valuable development experience. In the investment sector, the investment in the SoftBank Vision Fund, despite experiencing book value fluctuations, provided practical experience for the global deployment of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund. In the realm of mega-projects, "The Line" linear city optimized its planning based on actual development needs, shifting from the initial 170 kilometers, accommodating 1.5 million residents to a phased implementation plan of 2.4 kilometers, housing less than 300,000 residents, with completion expected by 2030. This pragmatic adjustment facilitates the project's implementation. Notably, the surge in international oil prices from 2021 to 2022 provided additional financial support for Saudi Arabia's transformation projects and enabled the country to more clearly define its transformation pace of "gradually reducing oil dependence and steadily advancing diversification." Looking back at the decade under MBS's leadership, Saudi Arabia has faced periodic challenges in its economic transformation and the advancement of grand projects, yet it has also accumulated valuable development experience. In the investment sector, the investment in the SoftBank Vision Fund, despite experiencing book value fluctuations, provided practical experience for the global deployment of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund. In the realm of mega-projects, "The Line" linear city optimized its planning based on actual development needs, shifting from the initial 170 kilometers, accommodating 1.5 million residents to a phased implementation plan of 2.4 kilometers, housing less than 300,000 residents, with completion expected by 2030. This pragmatic adjustment facilitates the project's implementation. Notably, the surge in international oil prices from 2021 to 2022 provided additional financial support for Saudi Arabia's transformation projects and enabled the country to more clearly define its transformation pace of "gradually reducing oil dependence and steadily advancing diversification."

Society and the International: Breakthroughs Beyond Expectations

In stark contrast to setbacks in the economic sphere, remarkable and unexpected successes have been achieved in social reforms and the enhancement of international image: at the social level, Saudi Arabia has gradually granted women the right to drive, introduced more cultural and entertainment products, marginalized the power of religious police, and significantly opened up the social atmosphere; at the level of international standing, although Saudi Arabia still maintains a certain degree of dependence on the United States, it is no longer a subordinate that "follows the U.S. lead in everything"—the most notable example is the historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran achieved under China's mediation in 2023, a breakthrough that signals Saudi Arabia's efforts to reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and its aspiration to become the undisputed leading nation in the region; at the level of public support, the open culture promoted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman enjoys exceptionally high approval among the youth, who make up 70% of the population, securing a solid foundation of popular support.

The core irony: classical monarchy cloaked in modern attire.

Behind MBS's strategic layout lies a highly ironic reality: he often wears a pair of $800 Hermès slippers under his traditional white robe, deliberately crafting an image of an approachable, fashionable modern leader. However, beneath the layers of the "Saudi Dream," what he truly pursues is the Dream of Power—in this dream, public opinion has never been the most important core. At the very heart of this reform blueprint, wrapped in layers of modern corporate governance, AI technology, and futurist concepts, resides a 19th-century classical monarch, whose ultimate goal is to achieve absolute hereditary monarchical power for himself and his direct descendants—the power to "decide with a single word, controlling the life and death of the people, and the rise and fall of the dynasty." Those scaled-down wonder buildings may ultimately, like the pharaohs' pyramids, become eternal witnesses of the new dynasty; and the state of absolute control, where "nothing grows around power," will also transcend time and space, enduring indefinitely. Behind MBS's strategic layout lies a highly ironic reality: he often wears a pair of $800 Hermès slippers under his traditional white robe, deliberately crafting an image of an approachable, fashionable modern leader. However, beneath the layers of the "Saudi Dream," what he truly pursues is the Dream of Power—in this dream, public opinion has never been the most important core. At the very heart of this reform blueprint, wrapped in layers of modern corporate governance, AI technology, and futurist concepts, resides a 19th-century classical monarch, whose ultimate goal is to achieve absolute hereditary monarchical power for himself and his direct descendants—the power to "decide with a single word, controlling the life and death of the people, and the rise and fall of the dynasty." Those scaled-down wonder buildings may ultimately, like the pharaohs' pyramids, become eternal witnesses of the new dynasty; and the state of absolute control, where "nothing grows around power," will also transcend time and space, enduring indefinitely.

Summary: Saudi Arabia's Transformation and Rise Driven by Strategic Innovation

Since taking power in 2015, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has implemented a series of radical reforms and grand strategies. The core logic is to weave the "Saudi Dream" domestically through **"Vision 2030"and"Spectacle Architecture"to win the support of the young populace and reshape the power structure; simultaneously, through"Global Investment"**, it binds international capital and elites externally, reconstructing diplomatic relations with a business logic. To achieve this goal, MBS purged the old aristocracy in the name of "anti-corruption," raising trillions in funds; he spent heavily to hire the world's top consulting firms to form a "shadow government," achieving unprecedented concentration of power and clearing obstacles for the advancement of various reforms. Since taking power in 2015, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has implemented a series of radical reforms and grand strategies. The core logic is to weave the "Saudi Dream" domestically through **"Vision 2030"and"Spectacle Architecture"to win the support of the young populace and reshape the power structure; simultaneously, through"Global Investment"**, it binds international capital and elites externally, reconstructing diplomatic relations with a business logic. To achieve this goal, MBS purged the old aristocracy in the name of "anti-corruption," raising trillions in funds; he spent heavily to hire the world's top consulting firms to form a "shadow government," achieving unprecedented concentration of power and clearing obstacles for the advancement of various reforms.

A decade has passed, and the strategic layout has yielded remarkable results: although economic transformation faces periodic challenges, it has become more sustainable after pragmatic adjustments. In areas such as social openness, enhancing the national image, and strengthening geopolitical influence (such as the reconciliation with Iran), Saudi Arabia has achieved milestone successes. In essence, by leveraging modern technology and a commercial facade, Saudi Arabia has propelled its transformation from a traditionally dependent nation into an autonomous, leading regional power. Its reform practices profoundly reflect the country’s successful exploration between tradition and modernity, dependence and autonomy, while also providing a crucial case study for the global observation of shifts in the Middle East’s power dynamics.