Bin Salman leads the Kingdom’s “Vision 2030” and the related “National Transformation Plan” — a program aimed at diversifying the Saudi economy beyond oil production. He is believed to have played a key role in Riyadh’s decision to isolate Qatar.
In June, Saudi Arabia removed then-crown prince Muhammad Bin Nayef from his role and replaced him with Bin Salman.
That move immediately made the target on Bin Salman’s back even bigger, and could have precipitated an intra-family power struggle.
“His growing portfolio of responsibilities, which ranges from defense minister to head of the economic council, has been gained at the expense of more senior members of the royal family, reportedly causing considerable resentment,” the Council on Foreign Relations wrote in May, as speculation that he was up for a promotion was growing.
Prior roles for Bin Salman include both defense minister and deputy crown prince, and he was earlier this year credited with a “huge success” after President Donald Trump made a decision to visit Saudi Arabia.
