This summers in Ramazan, after Umrah as we reached Medina the network name on mobile sets read, 'Muhammad The Visionary'. I was impressed with Al Saud's reverence for the Prophet PBUH but my companion clarified that it actually meant MBS. And that particular moment, I knew that it was end of the road for Al Saud. MBS has already violated many conventions but irreversibles ones include parting with Succession method of Al Saud & alleged murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
Row over disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi has once again brought MBS in the news. However, Twitter killed Jamal Khashoggi, MBS just bore the expense. General Intelligence Presidency (GIP) رئاسة الاستخبارات العامة has surprised CIA, Mosssad, KGB etc for its audacity to buy a mole at Twitter and execution style, coldblooded disposal of the 'target'. Besides Twitter's massive business loss for breach of info, US & the rest are unhappily surprised over the chilling murder, the details of which were also leaked.
It appears that MBS is trying to book a seat among the powerful by behaving like powerful. And time was never more ripe for bullies when we have Donal J Trump residing at the White House, Narendra Modi at Lok Kalyan Marg & Geert 'Weirdo' as political leader of a developed nation. After making an exception to the rule to succession at The House of Sa'ud, MBS assumed real control of the Kingdom by pronouncing himself Crown Prince ahead of his uncle. At home, appearing smiley face at the posters, he made his impression through anti-corruption drive, economic diversification slogan & progression as part of his 'vision'. On the flip side though; deep pocket Princes detained, clerics compromised, opponents hushed & critics 'muted', literally. After flexing his muscles in Arabian Penninsula by bullying Qatar & pounding Yemen, MBS announced his arrival at the world stage with Khashoggi stunt. Is this obsessive self aggrendizement or beaming desire for expansion of the Kingdom of Al Saud?
Can he grab a seat & remains seated at the power table? Or his relentless obsession with power takes him to nowhere like his ambitious 'Vision 2030'? Or probably this is how the world power matrix is being shaped, 'bully your way through'.Or will it remain a sweet little dream of MBS? Or is it the beginning of the end of The House of Saud established since 1902?
Initially, Trump was protective of MBS, may be for his 'friendship' with Jared Kushner or may be for trade deals worth billions of dollars but now it seems that he sees this as an opportunity to leverage against Saudis. Hence, CIA director is in Istanbol to get put the pieces of murder together & his Finance Secretary is in Saudi Arabia to play weak Saudi situation to their financial advantage. Nothing much will happen there. Its just a shrewd white man using his leverage against a rich Arab Prince for money.
Much anticipated speech of Tayeb Ardogan today at Tirkish Parliament was more like Ch Nisar's painfully long incomprehensive inconclusive press talks as Interior Minister.
MBS will get away with this. However, in the long run more likely outcome of his untamed power intoxication may finally end Al Saud's reign over Arabia.
Only Allah knows the whole Truth
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