Mohammed bin Salman
Mohammed bin Salman is the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, serving as the country's de facto ruler and architect of a sweeping social and economic transformation plan known as Vision 2030.
Rising rapidly through the Saudi royal succession to become the kingdom's effective ruler at a young age, he has pursued a strategy of rapid, sometimes jarring social and economic change unlike anything in the country's modern history.
A Rapid Rise to Power
Mohammed bin Salman was named Crown Prince in 2017, bypassing more senior members of the Saudi royal family to become next in line to the throne and the kingdom's de facto day-to-day ruler.
Vision 2030
He has championed Vision 2030, an ambitious plan to diversify Saudi Arabia's oil-dependent economy, including massive infrastructure projects and significant social reforms such as lifting the ban on women driving.
Consolidating Power
His rise has been accompanied by significant consolidation of political and economic power, including a 2017 anti-corruption crackdown that detained numerous senior royals and businessmen.
International Scrutiny
He has faced significant international scrutiny over human rights issues, including the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, even as Saudi Arabia has expanded its global economic and diplomatic influence under his leadership.
