Bradley Hope | Blood & Oil... The Story of Mohammed bin Salman
Dec 27, 2024
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Bradley Hope, an investigative journalist and co-author of "Blood & Oil," shares insights into the fascinating yet complex world of Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). He discusses MBS’s rise to power and the controversial Ritz crackdown. The conversation dives into sportswashing, examining how Saudi Arabia uses sports for image enhancement, and explores ambitious projects like NEOM. Hope also sheds light on the evolving US-Saudi relationship and the significant influence of sovereign wealth funds, making this a deep investigation into modern Saudi politics and culture.
MBS's leadership has dramatically transformed Saudi Arabia since 2017, driving both modernization and controversial political shifts.
The Public Investment Fund under MBS exemplifies a strategic move to diversify the economy away from oil dependency, impacting regional wealth management.
The Sunni-Shia divide within Gulf nations complicates Saudi Arabia's political landscape, affecting both domestic policies and international relationships.
Deep dives
The Rise of MBS and Saudi Influence
Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has significantly transformed Saudi Arabia since becoming crown prince in 2017, presenting both positive developments and controversial actions. His leadership is marked by bold initiatives and a decisive shift towards modernization. As a central figure in the global economy, MBS's rise symbolizes an ambitious push for growth and influence beyond traditional oil-based narratives. The discussion highlights how his ascent has directly affected regional dynamics and positioned Saudi Arabia at the forefront of international conversations.
Geopolitical Significance of the Gulf Region
The Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, have increasingly asserted their influence on the global stage through vast wealth and strategic geopolitical positioning. The podcast elaborates on the historical context of tribal societies transitioning to powerful nations with the discovery of oil, which forged their economic futures. Additionally, it emphasizes the delicate balance of power in the region and the varying degrees of authority — illustrating how Saudi Arabia’s larger size and oil reserves give it a louder voice among its neighbors. Understanding these dynamics sheds light on recent geopolitical strategies and alliances being formed.
The Role of Oil and Sovereign Wealth Funds
Saudi Arabia holds some of the largest oil reserves in the world, shaping its economic landscape and that of neighboring nations. The discussion centers on how the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has been revamped under MBS to secure a future that diversifies away from oil dependency by investing in various sectors globally. It contrasts this with the wealth management strategies of other Gulf states like Abu Dhabi, showcasing different approaches to govern the vast revenues derived from oil. The conversation provides insights into how the PIF reflects MBS's vision for a more modernized Saudi Arabia while balancing power among ruling families.
Cultural and Political Dynamics in the Gulf
The podcast explores the cultural and political distinctions among Gulf nations, particularly highlighting the Sunni and Shia divide and its implications on societal structures. Despite the overarching Sunni identity shared by nations like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait, the conversation explains how pockets of Shia communities, especially in Bahrain, create complexities in regional politics. This division not only influences domestic policies but also shapes international relationships, particularly as Saudi Arabia seeks to maintain its leadership in the Sunni Muslim world. The exploration of these dynamics emphasizes how they manifest in both governance and societal interactions.
The Controversial Shakedown of the Ritz
MBS's approach to consolidating power is exemplified in the controversial Ritz Carlton crackdown, where numerous royals and businessmen were detained under the guise of combating corruption. This dramatic episode marked a significant transfer of wealth and power, leaving a lasting impact on Saudi Arabia's political landscape. While purportedly about cleaning up corruption, it illustrates MBS’s willingness to eradicate potential threats to his authority without due process. The implications of this event are profound, indicating a shift toward autocratic governance wherein MBS controls all aspects of power in the kingdom.
Vision 2030 and the Future of Saudi Arabia
MBS’s Vision 2030 plan aims to diversify Saudi Arabia's economy and reduce its reliance on oil, pushing for advancements in sectors like tourism and entertainment. The conversation touches on innovative projects such as Neom and the ambitious mega-developments designed to attract international attention and investment. However, skepticism remains regarding the feasibility of these high-concept projects, given the country's historical reliance on oil wealth. The podcast illustrates how these initiatives represent a dual challenge: achieving a transformational economic shift while managing the sociopolitical realities of the existing regime.
By far the highest production value I’ve ever done. We recorded this together in Bradley’s studio in London. It’s TV quality stuff so refer to youtube for this one.
And the podcast was as much in 90 minutes that we could possibly do around his book, Blood and Oil.
Blood and Oil is the story of MBS, Mohammed bin Salman, who is the crown prince and most powerful person in Saudi Arabia, he is as well, the singular vision responsible for most of the good but as well, most of the bad that Saudi Arabia has been responsible for since about 2017.
Some of the things that stand out from this episode that I would encourage you to stay around for include…
the Shiek Down, this brazen transference of power and wealth which MBS oversaw.
Bradley’s take on the supposed sports-washing this region has been all over the news for, specifically here, referring to football and golf.
The US/Saudi relationship
NEOM
And in between all of that a sense for MBS as told through the reporting and journalism of one of the best.
00:00 - Bradley Hope 02:30 - The Region - Oil, Religion, History 06:45 - Sovereign Wealth Funds 08:50 - Religious Divide Between Gulf Nations 010:41 - Saudi Arabia Young Country 13:40 - Understanding MBS 19:40 - The Shiek Down 27:35 - MBS & Risk 30:58 - MBZ - UAE 33:40 - Bradley’s Contrarian Take On Sportswashing 43:07 - Geopolitical Significance Of The Region 51:10 - Consultancies (McKinsey, etc) In Saudi 55:23 - NEOM 1:00:10 - Journalist Craft 1:05:15 - Has MBS Read Bradley’s Work & Does Bradley Still Love Journalism? 1:08:30 - Bradley Reflects On Changing Media Landscape 1:13:50 - Mecca & Medina 1:15:10 - Misunderstood Parts Of Saudi & Emirates
