Book SummaryBlood and Oil, by Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Blood and Oil

Mohammed bin Salman rose to an unprecedented level of influence within the hierarchy of Saudi Arabia's governance.

The rise and entrenchment of Mohammed bin Salman within the Saudi hierarchy marks a complex shift in the distribution of power, affecting both the dynamics within the royal family and the country's governance framework.

MBS ascended to a position of unparalleled prominence within the Saudi Arabian hierarchy.

Mohammed bin Salman, commonly known by his initials MBS, rapidly ascended to a significant position within the Saudi Arabian government.

Members of the royal family took steps to elevate MBS's standing.

MBS began to consolidate power and accumulate wealth by skillfully persuading Verizon to commence the establishment of a fiber-optic network in Saudi Arabia in 2008. He, along with his father Salman, skillfully used his business successes to strengthen Salman's rise to power.

After King Abdullah's death, King Salman reorganized pivotal roles, which resulted in the elevation of MBS to a higher rank in the succession order, even though he was not originally considered for it. MBS was instrumental in influencing his father's choices, demonstrating his assertive nature through the implementation of major changes to the structure of the monarchy.

MBS faced resistance within his family, particularly from a relative, Turki bin Abdullah, whose ambitions were seen as a challenge to Salman's plans for the royal succession. MBS solidified his power within the complex political hierarchy, resonating with the youth and employing digital monitoring techniques to keep a watchful eye on his opponents.

The political adversaries were subdued through a range of tactics, such as threats and incarceration, with a notable incident taking place when numerous business magnates and officials were confined within the lavish confines of a hotel. He...

Blood and Oil Summary The transformation of economy and society as conceived by MBS within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The piece examines the strategic plan of Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, aimed at transforming the economic and social landscape of Saudi Arabia into a more varied and contemporary nation.

Shifting focus from reliance on petroleum.

The approach entailed listing Aramco on the stock market and employing the capital raised to branch out into various industries.

A central aspect of this approach included selling off shares of the government-run oil company, Aramco, culminating in a historic initial public offering. The firm's debut on the stock exchange was a resounding success, securing funds amounting to twenty-five point six billion dollars, thereby valuing the firm at one point seven trillion dollars, even as it contended with internal dissent and concerns over the transparency of its financial practices and potential legal complications. Mohammed bin Salman spearheaded the overhaul of Saudi Arabia's financial terrain, steering funds from the initial public offering into the development of sectors beyond oil, thus reducing the nation's reliance on its traditional petroleum-based economy. This approach aligned with the goals of the sovereign wealth fund...

Blood and Oil Summary 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...

Blood and Oil Summary 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...