Saudi Arabia’s repressive power politics

July 25, 2022

Saudi Arabia’s Repressive Power Politics | Why Biden Needs MBS | GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

US President Joe Biden famously said he would treat Saudi Arabia as a "pariah" for ordering the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But with oil prices near record highs and Iran seen as a growing menace, he felt he had no choice but to go there to revive the US-Saudi relationship.

Biden didn't get much out of his trip, which Princeton University professor and MBS confidante Bernard Haykel says was a "big win" for the Saudis and the crown prince himself. On GZERO World, Ian Bremmer speaks to Haykel, a Saudi expert, who discusses how MBS consolidated power, why the targeting of other journalists is unlikely, the kingdom's strategic value to the US, MBS's strategy to modernize his country, and the prospects for future warmer ties with Israel.

Bonus: MBS let women drive, but he's cracking down harder than ever against his opponents inside and outside Saudi Arabia.

From Your Site Articles

Congolese ceasefire collapsing as peacekeepers’ mandate extended

Malawi soldiers part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) military mission for eastern Congo, wait for the ceremony to repatriate the two bodies of South African soldiers killed in the ongoing war between M23 rebels and the Congolese army in Goma, North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo February 20, 2024.

REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi

Fighters from the M23 rebel group in northeastern Congo have been targeting civilians in violation of a July ceasefire agreement, according to the Southern African Development Community, whose peacekeeping mandate was extended by a year on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia’s repressive power politics

GZEROMEDIA

More from GZERO Media

Congolese ceasefire collapsing as peacekeepers’ mandate extended

Fighters from the M23 rebel group in northeastern Congo have been targeting civilians in violation of a July ceasefire agreement, according to the Southern African Development Community, whose peacekeeping mandate was extended by a year on Wednesday.

Ukraine wastes no time shooting more Western missiles into Russia

Ukraine has begun using long-range missiles from the US and UK to hit targets inside Russia for the first time, after getting long-awaited permission from Washington and London.

Exclusive GZERO Poll: What will Trump do first in office?

Hard Numbers: Spain welcomes migrants, Giraffes need protection, Brazil uncovers a plot to kill Lula, Nigel Farage excluded from farmer protests

300,000: Spain will grant residency and work permits to 300,000 migrants who have been living in the country illegally.

US vetoes Gaza ceasefire resolution

GZEROMEDIA

The role of nuclear in a net-zero transition

How world leaders are preparing for Trump’s return

The global response to Donald Trump’s imminent return to power has been nothing short of remarkable.

GZERO’s Dish of Delights, Nov. 19, 2024

Ukraine fires US missiles into Russia. What's next?

UN will resume aid flights to Haiti as gangs gain ground

The UN Humanitarian Air Service is scheduled to restart flights to Haiti on Wednesday, a week after several planes attempting to land at Port-au-Prince airport came under small arms fire.

Saudi Arabia’s repressive power politics

GZEROMEDIA

Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

More from GZERO Media

Fighters from the M23 rebel group in northeastern Congo have been targeting civilians in violation of a July ceasefire agreement, according to the Southern African Development Community, whose peacekeeping mandate was extended by a year on Wednesday.

Ukraine has begun using long-range missiles from the US and UK to hit targets inside Russia for the first time, after getting long-awaited permission from Washington and London.

300,000: Spain will grant residency and work permits to 300,000 migrants who have been living in the country illegally.

GZEROMEDIA

Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

The global response to Donald Trump’s imminent return to power has been nothing short of remarkable.

The UN Humanitarian Air Service is scheduled to restart flights to Haiti on Wednesday, a week after several planes attempting to land at Port-au-Prince airport came under small arms fire.