ONE of the defining characteristics of the Kingdom is that it avoids drama preferring, for instance in international diplomacy, to move quietly behind the scenes. Policy evolves carefully. But every once in a while, the result of this thoughtful process produces a change which to the outside world, is as startling as a submarine breaking the surface.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has decreed wide-ranging changes to the government, the most significant of which is the appointment of Prince Muhammad Bin Salman as the new crown prince. Prince Muhammad also becomes deputy prime minister and retains his job as defense minister.
International observers who might choose to see this change as indicating division at the royal court have already been proven completely wrong. One of the first people to pledge allegiance to Prince Muhammad Bin Salman was the former crown prince, Prince Muhammad Bin Naif. Moreover, 31 of the 34 members of Saudi Arabia’s Allegiance Council chose Prince Muhammad Bin Salman as the crown prince.
Yesterday it was the turn of the public to pledge their allegiance to the new crown prince. Among young Saudis there is doubtless an added sense of excitement since Prince Muhammad himself is 31 years old. There is no denying that in one respect, a generational change is taking place. Prince Muhammad has already put out a powerful signal that he wishes to equip the Kingdom for the new economic challenges it faces. His Saudi Vision 2030 is still breathtaking in its key ambition to see the productive economy move away radically from its reliance on hydrocarbon revenues. The next 13 years are going to see an extraordinary transformation as Saudi Arabia asserts its position as a regional economic powerhouse in which major manufacturing industries have based themselves.
However, at the same time, the generational change needs to be put into perspective. The Kingdom’s effectiveness has always been based on the esteem is awards its past. Within the new administration appointed by King Salman, there is a wealth of wisdom gained during long governmental service. The knowledge and insights that exist among these individuals is invaluable for the day-to-day governance of the country. It is obvious that these should not be wasted. Thus it is significant that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques also appointed seven new advisers to the Royal Court, all of whom bring extensive experience of government and diplomacy.
Thus it can be argued that the new government includes the best of the past with the best of the future in the shape of the new Crown Prince and the vigorous team he has assembled around him.
It is not simply the changes that strengthen the Kingdom but also the consensual manner in which they have been made. Friends of Saudi Arabia will be full of admiration for what has happened. Our enemies will try to find divisions which they will pretend, and indeed hope, have weakened not strengthened the state. They will be wrong. As with the submarine that suddenly breaks the surface, this may of itself be a surprise, but the reality is that above the waves, the vessel is still following the same strong heading it had been taking beneath them. The Saudi ship of state is still on very much on course.
