logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
26m 28s

Mohammed bin Salman: From pariah to peac...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

How did Saudi Arabia come to host leaders from the US, Russia and Ukraine for peace talks? Just a few years ago, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was publicly identified as the man who ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. As a result, he was referred to as a pariah by former President Joe Biden. So, how did MBS go from pariah to peacemaker?

Jonny Dymond speaks to journalist Jonathan Rugman, producer of the BBC documentary 'The Kingdom' about the life of Mohammed bin Salman.

Producers: Richard Moran, Tom Kavanagh, Mhairi MacKenzie and Eleanor Sly

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editors: Richard Fenton-Smith and Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

Up next
Today
The post-World War II era is over. What comes next?
For most of the years since World War Two, many global powers said they adhered to a rules-based international order. Since Donald Trump returned to the White House that idea is falling away. But did it ever exist in reality? And what’s the alternative now? The BBC’s Internationa ... Show More
28m 8s
Yesterday
How the US, China and Russia are vying for influence in Africa
When the leaders of the US, China and Russia look at Africa today, they see huge opportunity – an abundance of natural resources and a skilled, young population. But what does it mean for the continent when African presidents allow these superpowers the influence and investment t ... Show More
27m 3s
Jan 14
Putin’s pursuit of Russian greatness
All this week, we are teaming up with our BBC sister podcasts to explore how power and influence around the world is shifting. We’re exploring which countries have a sphere of influence, and which countries are in someone else’s. Today, we speak to Vitaly Shevchenko, co-host of U ... Show More
26m 10s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
Muhammad Yunus returns to Bangladesh to lead interim government
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus - a longtime political foe of Bangladesh's ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina - has been named the country's interim leader. The 84-year-old was appointed a day after Ms Hasina fled the country following weeks of deadly protests that brought her res ... Show More
47m 26s
Jun 2025
Muhammad Yunus: We dream of creating a new Bangladesh
<p>Rajini Vaidyanathan, BBC News presenter and correspondent, speaks to Muhammad Yunus, interim leader of Bangladesh.</p><p>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 ... Show More
22m 59s
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
41m 8s
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
Feb 2024
Pakistan prepares to vote, with Imran Khan in jail
<p>Former cricket star turned prime minister, Imran Khan, is one of Pakistan’s most popular politicians. But he’s in jail, and was just handed three more jail sentences days before a general election. He’s barred from the ballot, though his party is still running and has called h ... Show More
15m 50s
Mar 2025
The BBC Journalist Arrested in Turkey
Today, Laura and Paddy speak to Mark Lowen, the BBC journalist who was deported from Turkey after being arrested in Istanbul. Mark had been there for several days to report on the ongoing protests that were sparked by the Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's arrest last week. He tells ... Show More
34m 22s
Aug 2025
Old Newscast: Vladimir Putin elected Russian president for the first time, 2000 (Part 1)
On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at how an unknown bureaucrat with a mysterious past unexpectedly rose to president of Russia.Adam is joined by the BBC’s Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, and Russia reporter for The Washington Post and author, Catherine Belton.They discuss ... Show More
31m 2s
Jul 2024
Trump: "I'm Supposed to be Dead"
Today, we look at the aftermath of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.After surviving an attempt on his life, the former president says he will "bring the country together”, while President Joe Biden calls for the "temperature of politics" to be lowered. What will happen ... Show More
35m 43s