Can Saudi Money Whitewash a Murder?: World Corrupt Season 2, Episode 4
Apr 6, 2024
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Exploring the flow of Saudi money into Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and Wall Street, the US-Saudi relationship history, motivations behind investments, grassroots activism vs. human rights violations, and hopeful prospects for a more just world.
Saudi money influences Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and Wall Street, disregarding human rights concerns.
Biden administration navigates oil, defense ties, and regional stability in delicate US-Saudi relations.
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to diversify economy through global investments in sports, entertainment, despite controversies.
Deep dives
The Challenging Dynamics of US-Saudi Relations
US-Saudi relations are complex, with political, economic, and military ties influencing decisions. The podcast discusses how the Biden administration sought to balance various interests, including oil production, defense industry ties, and regional stability, leading to a cautious approach towards Saudi Arabia.
The Unresolved Impact of Khashoggi's Murder
The brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi authorities and its implicating of MBS raised concerns about accountability and US-Saudi relationships. Despite initial condemnation by the Biden administration, repercussions were limited, highlighting the complex interplay of geopolitics and human rights in dealing with authoritarian regimes.
Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia's Global Influence
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, focusing on diversifying the economy and investing in sports and entertainment, reflects MBS's ambitions. The podcast highlights how Saudi investments in global industries like sports and film festivals aim to shape perceptions and cultivate international relationships, despite controversies and human rights concerns.
Saudi Arabia's Economic Diversification with Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia, led by MBS, aims to diversify its economy through Vision 2030 as the world reduces its reliance on fossil fuels. With oil revenue accounting for a significant portion of the GDP, initiatives like investing $267 billion to create jobs are key. Despite challenges in meeting economic targets, efforts to transform socially and culturally signify ambitious plans for the future.
Football's Role in Cultivating Hope and Change
Football serves as a reflection of societal issues globally, showcasing both the beauty and complexities of the world. Inspiring moments like Morocco's women's team making history at the World Cup and Mexico's legislative changes for women athletes highlight football's potential for positive change. This power to influence goes beyond the sport, offering hope and driving societal progress towards equality and innovation.
In the final episode of this four-part series, Rog and Tommy trace the massive flow of Saudi money into Hollywood, Silicon Valley and Wall Street, and how the biggest venture capitalists and A-list celebrities seem to no longer care about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. They also look back at the history of the US-Saudi relationship, and how President Biden went from pleading to make Saudi Arabia a “pariah” to traveling there to fist bump Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. And finally, they dive into the possible motivations behind Saudi Arabia’s investments, from the need to diversify the Saudi economy, to whitewashing the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and changing the subject from other human rights violations. Despite all the depressing news, Rog and Tommy try to find glimmers of hope where grassroots activism and football can lead the way in creating a more just world. All of this and more, on the final episode of World Corrupt, Season 2.
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