The Times of Israel Daily Briefing Day 784 - Lazar Berman: As US and Saudi Arabia shore up ties, is Israel left out?
Nov 28, 2025
Lazar Berman, a diplomatic correspondent for The Times of Israel, dives deep into the evolving landscape of U.S.-Saudi-Israel relations. He explores Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's rise to power and the ambitious Vision 2030. The discussion reveals how recent U.S. investments and partnerships may overlook Israel's normalization hopes. Berman also analyzes Saudi Arabia's role in regional politics, including its hesitant stance on the Gaza conflict and the strategic implications of AI and nuclear agreements with the U.S.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Modernizer With An Iron Fist
- Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) combines sweeping modernization with ruthless consolidation of power.
- He modernizes society and economy while sidelining rivals through brutal tactics.
The 2017 Riyadh 'Shakedown'
- In 2017 MBS held powerful Saudis at a Riyadh hotel, seized phones and pressured them to hand over wealth.
- The purge, framed as anti-corruption, forced elites to back MBS or face disappearance.
Vision 2030's Moonshot Ambitions
- Saudi Vision 2030 aims to wean the kingdom off oil through mega-projects like Neom and The Line.
- Many projects are scaled back, but economic diversification and attracting Western business remain central goals.