PDF Summary:Blood and Oil, by Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck

Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, rose to prominence through a calculated consolidation of power. He orchestrated major shifts within the Kingdom's leadership hierarchy and initiated bold economic and social reforms. Blood and Oil explores Bin Salman's uncompromising strategies, including marginalizing rivals, transforming Saudi society, and his alleged involvement in the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck provide an inside look at Bin Salman's controversial leadership style and grand vision for modernizing Saudi Arabia. Though his initiatives are transformative, his authoritarian approach in eliminating dissent has sparked international condemnation and threatens to overshadow his ambitious reforms.

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The societal transformation process involved a slow deconstruction of numerous conservative social customs that previously characterized Saudi Arabia. The ban on female drivers was lifted to foster increased involvement of women in the workforce. The country observed the development of a recreational industry, characterized by the establishment of opulent seaside retreats within the scope of the Red Sea Project, and important cultural events that indicated a movement towards a more open social environment.

The kingdom underwent attempts to alter its rigid religious and cultural identity.

MBS declared his commitment to eradicating extremist ideologies and fostering a version of Islam he describes as moderate, marking a departure from the era of conservatism initiated in 1979, as per his statements. The nation started to embrace a range of cultural activities and forms of entertainment previously shunned, while also promoting women's involvement in societal roles and welcoming international visitors.

NEOM is characterized by initiatives that blend forward-thinking perspectives with economic objectives, aiming to relax Islamic laws, promote personal freedoms, and potentially loosen alcohol restrictions to attract global tourists and workers.

The Crown Prince has shown a surprising readiness to participate in global partnerships and embrace cultural practices usually not associated with the kingdom, such as a softer stance on Israel and the incorporation of Western cultural aspects like sports and potentially the Hollywood entertainment industry.

MBS foresees a transformative era that will steer Saudi Arabia away from its customary dependence on oil income and entrenched societal customs.

MBS's actions on the global stage and the internal struggles for power

The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, has launched bold international initiatives that have markedly changed Saudi Arabia's stature and sway on both a worldwide and regional scale.

Active participation in international diplomatic efforts and local community matters.

He was at the helm of the Yemen conflict and the tensions with Iran.

MBS initiated a military campaign in Yemen, taking a firm stance in regional matters without consulting the United States or discussing the matter with Mohammed bin Nayef, who then held the positions of Crown Prince and Minister of the Interior. MBS described the operation "Decisive Storm" as a critical action targeting the Houthi insurgents in Yemen, whom he considered a substantial threat to Saudi Arabian security. The mission, primarily reliant on aerial bombardment and expected to swiftly and decisively succeed, led to a significant loss of civilian lives and is generally considered unsuccessful.

This involvement has heightened the regional power struggle, exacerbating tensions with Tehran. Under the leadership of MBS, Saudi Arabia has adopted a bolder and more independent stance in its international relations, as demonstrated by its reactions to major events like the attacks on its oil infrastructure and the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by an American drone.

The imposition of trade constraints and the seclusion of Qatar.

The administration led by MBS took a step that was without precedent against another country within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In 2017, Saudi Arabia, guided by MBS, imposed a sweeping embargo on Qatar, accusing it of backing terrorist activities and deepening ties with Iran. The involvement of countries like the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain in the blockade led to significant outcomes, including economic isolation and restrictions on airspace usage. MBS is said to have contemplated a military incursion to curtail the sovereignty of the small Gulf nation by presenting a set of thirteen demands.

Qatar strengthened its partnerships with both Iran and Turkey in response to the boycott, further demonstrating the instances where MBS's bold and sometimes ill-advised approaches to foreign policy were evident. The initiative faced significant challenges due to hostile actions, which included the compromise of digital systems linked to Qatar's state news agency.

Attracting financial support from international sources.

MBS diligently worked to establish connections with nations in the West and sought to draw in global business investments. He initiated direct engagement with President Trump's administration as part of his wider strategy to forge ties with Western countries. He cultivated relationships with prominent individuals, including the President's son-in-law, and gained trust through his progressive approach to leadership that prioritized innovation and collaborative economic growth.

MBS orchestrated opulent events such as the Future Investment Initiative to showcase Saudi Arabia's investment potential. His interactions with key players in international commerce, such as Silicon Valley's technology moguls and notable Hollywood personalities, underscore his ambition to secure global support and financial commitments for the forward-thinking strategy known as Vision 2030.

While visiting Egypt, MBS boldly confronted local leaders, labeling Turkey as part of a "triangle of malevolence" alongside promoters of extremist Islamic ideologies. The Crown Prince has consistently highlighted his goal to reshape Saudi Arabia into a nation that embraces progress and appeals to investors, demonstrated by his actions such as granting citizenship to a robot and channeling significant investments into worldwide businesses through various initiatives, meetings, and global events.

Overall, the manner in which MBS orchestrates international relations and his endeavors to establish dominance in the region signify a departure from the kingdom's traditionally low-profile approach to diplomacy, highlighting his drive to enhance the kingdom's prominence on both a global and regional scale.

The elimination of dissent and the orchestrated disappearance of Khashoggi by MBS.

Throughout Mohammed bin Salman's tenure, the global community has consistently condemned the suppression of dissent and the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, matters that have remained at the forefront of concern.

The assassination of Jamal Khashoggi was a reprehensible deed.

MBS's alleged role in orchestrating the assassination

Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist whose ties with the royal family varied over time, ultimately turned into a passionate critic of the strategies and measures implemented by MBS. His evolution into a staunch adversary of the government was marked by progressively severe commentaries, particularly those composed for a prominent American newspaper, which indicated his rise as a dedicated opponent of the regime. The circumstances resulted in considerable turmoil within the Saudi administration, where MBS was in charge and counted Saud al-Qahtani among his principal consultants.

Khashoggi's safety was compromised due to his growing opposition, characterized by his participation in an organization advocating for democracy in Arab nations and his interactions with legal investigators regarding the legal action initiated by family members of September 11 victims. Efforts to muzzle him within the nation, such as Qahtani's limitations on his writing and overtures of reconciliation that Khashoggi turned down, curtailed his public expression, prompting his relocation to the United States capital.

The assessments from the CIA suggest that MBS considered a range of tactics to persuade Khashoggi to go back to Saudi Arabia, hinting at the possibility of using fatal measures if he did not comply. Khashoggi met his end inside the Saudi diplomatic mission in Istanbul, where he seemed to have gone to collect documents, at the hands of Saudi operatives. The gruesome assassination, characterized by drugging, asphyxiation, and mutilation, incited worldwide condemnation and permanently tarnished the global standing of Mohammed bin Salman.

The international outcry significantly diminished MBS's reputation.

The international community voiced their disapproval and condemnation upon learning the details of the murder. President Erdogan of Turkey regarded the act as a personal affront, a sentiment echoed by leaders worldwide. Initially resistant, the Saudi government, under King Salman's instruction, embarked on an overhaul of its intelligence framework, appointing MBS to lead this initiative.

Key individuals and businesses started retracting their backing for MBS after the CIA implicated him in the murder. The association with an individual implicated in the assassination of a journalist made business chiefs and government officials wary, diminishing his reputation. The global dissemination of intelligence reports during the Biden administration reinforced the perception of Mohammed bin Salman's involvement, while President Trump's strong support underscored the complexities of international political dynamics.

The aftermath of Khashoggi's murder still echoes globally, which could lead to economic penalties and put a strain on international ties with Saudi Arabia. The ramifications of the incident have elicited reactions and statements from global personalities, suggesting that the assassination could have enduring consequences that affect Mohammed bin Salman's efforts to rehabilitate his reputation in the aftermath.

The quelling of internal dissent and critique.

Detainees, according to activists and critics, have faced accusations of enduring arrest and suffering from torture.

The killing of Khashoggi is indicative of a broader pattern of despotic governance that has characterized the era of Mohammed bin Salman's leadership. His ascent to power brought with it an intensification of crackdowns on any form of dissent. The crackdown has ensnared a diverse group, including individuals who championed the cause of women's rights like Loujain al-Hathloul, as well as clerics, royals, and those who exhibited even minor opposition to MBS's policies or reform initiatives.

The secretive anti-corruption committee played a crucial role in detaining many influential figures within Arab nations amid growing allegations of human rights abuses and torture. International entities and defenders of human rights have underscored the authoritarian nature of MBS's rule, characterized by an unwavering intolerance for opposition or critical commentary.

Employing surveillance and cyber warfare tactics aimed at quelling dissent.

The Saudi Arabian government has employed a variety of tactics to quell dissent. They employ cyber tools, surveillance applications, and launch internet assaults to pursue detractors within their own borders and in other countries. Concerns are growing about the state's alleged accumulation of personal user information and its attempts to unmask individuals who have covertly criticized the government, underscoring the far-reaching and invasive aspects of its surveillance operations.

MBS and his team seem to be conducting a calculated campaign to breach the privacy and security of those they view as opponents, including high-profile figures like the former officer of Saudi intelligence. The kingdom's secretive attempts to control information and suppress dissent were exposed when intercepted communications revealed conversations with Jamal Khashoggi and others.

Under the leadership of Mohammed bin Salman, the government shows its willingness to take drastic actions to maintain power and silence any opposition or political conversation, whether within the country or abroad, as shown by the killing of Khashoggi and the severe methods used to stifle dissent.