Behind the Bastards Part Two: Prince Mohammed Bin Salman: The Tyrant of Saudi Arabia
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Jan 22, 2026 In this engaging discussion, David Pell, a writer and podcaster, joins Robert to explore the life of Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the controversial Saudi crown prince. They dissect MBS's privileged upbringing in the House of Saud, revealing how his sheltered childhood influenced his sense of entitlement and ambition. The duo navigates the complexities of Saudi oil dependency, the flawed employment system, and MBS's early rebellious nature. They also delve into family dynamics and significant power shifts, foreshadowing MBS's ruthless rise in the political landscape.
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Oil Dependency Warps The State
- Saudi Arabia became catastrophically dependent on oil, with Aramco funding ~80% of state spending.
- That dependency created widespread government employment as de facto welfare and fiscal fragility.
Benefits Replace Raises, Creating Budget Strain
- Saudi government created layered pay
A Childhood Built To Insulate Power
- Mohammed bin Salman grew up in insulated royal palaces with heavy privilege and isolation.
- That upbringing limited normal social checks and created entitlement and fragility.
