Since Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s de facto takeover of Saudi Arabia’s rule, the kingdom has been trying to adapt and adjust to his reformism. From the promotion of Vision 2030, which opened up to top-down socio-economic reforms to an assertive foreign policy – the push for the embargo on Qatar and the conflict in Yemen, above all – the Crown Prince has been in the spotlight both domestically and internationally. While opportunities lie ahead, so do challenges. As the country is one of the major powers in the Middle East, and the second largest holder of oil reserves worldwide, its transformations could greatly affect not only the region, but the rest of the world as well. This report investigates the possible consequences of the reforms brought about by MbS in the Saudi economy and society, the effects of his centralisation of power and the impact on regional stability.
Table of Contents
Introduction, Paolo Magri
1. Mohammad Bin Salman’s Reforms: Obstacles, Opposition and Questions of Stability, Cinzia Bianco
2. Challenges of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Giorgio Cafiero
3. How To Preserve Domestic Security: The Threat of Islamist Groups, Sara Brzuszkiewicz
4. US - Saudi Relations in the New World of Trump and Mohammad bin Salman, Robert Jordan
5. Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the Horn of Africa: Stabilisers or Disrupters?, Annalisa Perteghella
Conclusions and Policy Recommendations for the EU
