MBS

The Rise to Power of Mohammed bin Salman

De: Ben Hubbard

Narrado por: Robert Petkoff

A NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE • A gripping, behind-the-scenes portrait of the rise of Saudi Arabia’s secretive and mercurial new ruler

“Revelatory . . . a vivid portrait of how MBS has altered the kingdom during his half-decade of rule.”—The Washington Post

Finalist for the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award • ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Kirkus Reviews

MBS is the untold story of how a mysterious young prince emerged from Saudi Arabia’s sprawling royal family to overhaul the economy and society of the richest country in the Middle East—and gather as much power as possible into his own hands. Since his father, King Salman, ascended to the throne in 2015, Mohammed bin Salman has leveraged his influence to restructure the kingdom’s economy, loosen its strict Islamic social codes, and confront its enemies around the region, especially Iran. That vision won him fans at home and on Wall Street, in Silicon Valley, in Hollywood, and at the White House, where President Trump embraced the prince as a key player in his own vision for the Middle East. But over time, the sheen of the visionary young reformer has become tarnished, leaving many struggling to determine whether MBS is in fact a rising dictator whose inexperience and rash decisions are destabilizing the world’s most volatile region.

Based on years of reporting and hundreds of interviews, MBS reveals the machinations behind the kingdom’s catastrophic military intervention in Yemen, the bizarre detention of princes and businessmen in the Riyadh Ritz-Carlton, and the shifting Saudi relationships with Israel and the United States. And finally, it sheds new light on the greatest scandal of the young autocrat’s rise: the brutal killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul, a crime that shook Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Washington and left the world wondering whether MBS could get away with murder.

MBS is a riveting, eye-opening account of how the young prince has wielded vast powers to reshape his kingdom and the world around him.

Interesting & Entertaining

Great writing - I wasn't bored for a second! And I learned so much about events that have shaped the world, but I didn't recognize the significance of at the time. The author provided a lot of context by describing Suadi culture and history, as well as the geopolitical situation, which I loved. Great narration, too.

Shame on the PGA tour!

After learning in greater detail than I ever knew about MBS, I am outraged that the PGA tour is allowing him to whitewash his evil deeds by using the golf tour as a cleansing solution.

Good

This book is well-articulated and provides valuable insights; however, it places considerable emphasis on MBS's censoring and Machiavellian aspects, with less focus on his personal narrative, background, and future plans. As someone relatively new to the complexities of the Arab world and current regional politics and economy, I had hoped for more contextual information. The author strives to maintain neutrality and does a commendable job of acknowledging the positive dimensions of MBS’s political approach.

Despite the various concerns surrounding MBS, I see him as a potential world leader and a promising figure for the future of Islamic politics and economic development.

Fascinating

This clarified the inner workings and history of Saudi society while at the same time showing the challenges to making profound societal change- we wish the Saudi people and their ruler well.

Lot of details that would not have come to attention

Very detail oriented, balanced, lot of valuable information. Ben Hubbard had done a good job of putting all the details he set out to put forth and thus the readers can make up their own opinions of MBS.

Brilliant Overview of Saudi Political Climate

Ben Hubbard had done a brilliant job of presenting an overview of the current political climate in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman's rise to power and the events and circumstances that have resulted in MBS becoming Saudi Arabia de facto leader. Hubbard is the unique western reporter in that his fluency, in Arabic, has provided him with the ability not only to communicate to members of the royal family and others, within the Saudi power structure, but everyday Saudis whose perspective adds depth to Hubbard's accounts.

Very good

Informative and entertaining. I could see this being turned into a HBO special.

My favourite parts were the check ins with the women drivers.

Insightfully presented

How insightful it was into this royal family, and particularly MBS and future effects to the world

An Important History of a Horrible Human Being

This is a fascinating memoir and history of a terrible human being. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has used the modernization of Saudi Arabia from a conservative Islamist monarchy as an excuse to murder innocent children in Yemen, kill, torture and imprison his rivals and those criticize him, end journalism and criticism and take the wealth and assets of those who oppose him. It is a horrible, true story excellently told by New York Times reporter Ben Hubbard who experienced much of the anti-journalistic approach of the Crown Prince, including Hubbard’s connections with the innocent, harmless reporter Jamal Khashoggi who was murdered and dismembered by Salman’s right hand man who to this day still does Salman’s bidding to the danger of Saudi citizens.
Ironically, Donald Trump does not care if Mohammed bin Salman was involved in the murder and torture of a reporter for an American paper in Istanbul. After the CIA told Trump that Mohammed bin Salman was responsible for Khashoggi’s death, Donald Trump famously said, “It could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event — maybe he did and maybe he didn't. In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region.” So, go ahead and murder and dismember our reporter. That is fine to the President of the United States. Before and after the killing, Donald Trump bragged about America creating and selling enormous warplanes and bombs to Saudi Arabia even though he knew they would be dropped on innocent civilians and children in Yemen. On the eighteen-month anniversary of Khashoggi’s murder after the book was published, Donald Trump went out of his way to call Mohammed bin Salman his friend.
How ironic also that Donald Trump claims friends who are the enemies of America who kill, poison, and imprison rivals, criminalize speaking with reporters who do not support the oligarchs, murder the innocent including children and demonize our allies. Vladimir Putin is responsible for killing tens of thousand Ukrainians, interfering in our election, murdering and poisoning his rivals in Russia as well as in England and Germany, and shooting down a commercial airplane over the Ukraine killing 68 innocent people including children and students. Donald Trump’s other friend Kim Jung-un killed his half brother and tens of thousands of innocent citizens for criticizing his rule. All three have ended dissent in the media. At least Mohammed bin Salman did not kill his brother, but he virtually tortured him into giving up his Crown Princedom for Salman to reign. Salman also imprisoned his mother in her home for years.
Ben Hubbard is an excellent writer and his important book sheds light on this horrible person, Mohammed bin Salman, and his friend Donald Trump.

Interesting, educational, accessible

A fantastic job introducing and summarizing a nuanced and complicated political situation. I really appreciated how fluidly the author was able to use the rise of a controversial and impactful political leader to additionally provide valuable insight on the broader history and evolving modern climate of a country that is so different. I was a really enjoyable read, I worked through it very quickly and would seek out additional titles by this writer!