Behind the Bastards Part Three: Prince Mohammed Bin Salman: The Tyrant of Saudi Arabia
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Jan 27, 2026 A deep dive into Mohammed bin Salman’s rapid climb from driven young prince to concentrated power. They trace rivalries with other royal figures and his bold takeover of the defense ministry. The narrative follows the Yemen intervention, its humanitarian fallout, and his lavish behavior amid crisis. Political maneuvering, U.S. ties, and shifting alliances shape the story.
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Westernized Image Built Political Cred
- Mohammed bin Salman cultivated a modern, Western-facing image by studying abroad and training with Western security agencies.
- That image increased his credibility with U.S. agencies despite unclear formal qualifications.
MBN Became The Face Of Counterterrorism
- Mohammed bin Nayef led an aggressive counteroffensive against Al-Qaeda and became the public face of Saudi counterterrorism.
- The CIA called him their number one man in Saudi Arabia after a string of successful operations.
Court Consolidation Centralized Power
- King Salman's court consolidation gave Mohammed bin Salman operational control and a platform to build patronage.
- MBS used that control to place allies and erode Mohammed bin Nayef's power base.
