logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
28m 51s

Mohammed bin Salman: The unstoppable pri...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

After ruthlessly outmanoeuvring hundreds of rivals, Mohammed bin Salman has become the most powerful man in Saudi Arabia. The crown prince believes his sweeping vision for the country will bring in investment, top flight sport and visitors from around the world. His only demand in return... absolute loyalty. So, is MBS unstoppable?

On this episode Caitríona Perry speaks to Jonathan Rugman, journalist and producer of a new documentary “The Kingdom: The World’s Most Powerful Prince”, which shines a fresh light on how he got to power and how far he’ll go to maintain it. They are also joined by the BBC World Service Arab Affairs Editor Sebastian Usher, who has spent time in Saudi Arabia for many years.

Listeners in the UK can watch “The Kingdom: The World’s Most Powerful Prince” on iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001zprm/the-kingdom-the-worlds-most-powerful-prince

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Richard Moran and Alix Pickles.

Sound Engineer: Mike Regaard and Jack Graysmark.

Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.

Senior Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.

Up next
Today
Australia’s mushroom killer trial
It’s been called ‘Australia's trial of the century’. Erin Patterson, the mushroom murderer, was sentenced last month and given a life sentence, but that wasn’t the end of the story. Both the prosecution and the defence are lodging competing appeals. Patterson wants her conviction ... Show More
26m 50s
Yesterday
Trump’s ‘CEO of everything’
The billionaire Larry Ellison could soon control huge portions of America’s AI, attention economy and legacy media. He already owns swathes of AI infrastructure and is preparing to takeover TikTok, whilst his son, whose company already owns Paramount, is preparing a deal to buy W ... Show More
26m 19s
Oct 7
One man's quest to get his brothers released from Gaza
On October 7 2023 Hamas attacked Israel, taking 251 people hostage. Gali and Ziv Berman were among them – twin brothers who lived on a kibbutz near the Gaza border. They were 24 years old. Now, after 2 years they are among the remaining hostages still being held in captivity. But ... Show More
26m 31s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2023
What is Mohammed bin Salman’s vision for Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia has entered into a new era of relations with its long time rival, Iran. It’s a deal that has the potential to be very significant for the Middle East region. It’s part of a vision of a new Saudi Arabia spearheaded by its Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman. It’s a visi ... Show More
24m 11s
Jan 2019
Mohammed bin Salman's Bio
Dr. Gregory Gause joins us to discuss the rise of Mohammad Bin Salman and the future of Saudia Arabia. Mohammad Bin Salaman (MBS) is the crown prince of Saudi Arabia. He is currently serving as the country’s deputy prime minister, chairman of the Council for Economic and Developm ... Show More
42m 8s
Jun 2025
Muhammad Yunus: We dream of creating a new Bangladesh
Rajini Vaidyanathan, BBC News presenter and correspondent, speaks to Muhammad Yunus, interim leader of Bangladesh.The 84-year-old is perhaps one of the world’s best-known Bangladeshis. Described as the banker to the world’s poor, he gained international recognition as a Nobel pri ... Show More
22m 59s
Dec 2024
Prince Andrew and the Chinese 'spy'
Prince Andrew has now "ceased all contact" with an alleged spy working on behalf of China's shadowy United Front Work Department. But their relationship has raised questions about how the 'desperate' prince pays for his lifestyle and whether he inadvertently enabled the Chinese s ... Show More
34m 10s
Dec 2024
FIFA World Cup: Trade Deals 1, Human Rights Nil
In the same week FIFA decided an appalling human rights record is no obstacle to Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup, Keir Starmer was schmoozing the kingdom's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. What lengths will our former human rights lawyer PM go to in his pursuit of growth ... Show More
54m 49s
May 2024
Mohammed bin Salman: The most powerful man in football?
Mohammed bin Salman may be the most influential person in global football, even though he doesn’t seem to like the game. In 2021, the Saudi millennial crown prince became the ultimate owner of Newcastle United, when the Premier League club was bought by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign w ... Show More
47m 25s
Oct 3
Saudi Arabia’s push to liberalise
Description: The US will provide Ukraine with new intelligence, the American company behind Fico homebuyer credit scores is shaking up the mortgage industry, and Tesla’s global deliveries hit a new record in the third quarter. Plus, Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman has s ... Show More
10m 47s
Feb 2025
Saudi Arabia’s Richest Man Prince Alwaleed bin Talal on Trump’s Tariffs, DeepSeek, Israel, and Iran
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is one of the biggest media investors in the world. Here’s why he thinks X now dominates everything. (00:00) Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s Thoughts on Donald Trump(02:26) Saudi Arabia’s Relationship With Israel and Iran(06:55) Negotiating With Trump(07:56) ... Show More
1h 3m
Oct 2024
Khaled Beydoun: The US Law Professor taking on Western media on Gaza
Meet the American law professor who’s visa was in question earlier this week after speaking at a Mosque in Sydney.  Khaled Beydoun, who is of  Lebanese, Egyptian and Palestinian heritage, has a staggering 2.5 million Instagram followers and has become a major source of trusted ne ... Show More
35m 36s
Sep 17
Trump begins unprecedented second state visit to Britain
In an honour accorded to no US president before him, Donald Trump has arrived in Britain for a second state visit. The pomp and pageantry will come alongside talks about trade and technology, but the visit is at risk of being overshadowed by the Epstein scandal. Also: we get the ... Show More
29m 45s