US Steps Up Pressure on Saudi over Khashoggi's Disappearance l Inside Story

A week after his mysterious disappearance at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Turkey, US leaders are voicing their fears for Jamal Khashoggi.

Donald Trump says he's concerned, the Vice President says he's 'troubled' by his disappearance. And America's top diplomat is urging Saudi allies to be open about what happened.

The mystery puts the spotlight on the Trump administration's close relations with Riyadh.

Presenter: Hoda Abdel-Hamid | Guests: Richard Murphy - Former U.S. envoy to Saudi Arabia; Khalil Jahshan - Exective Director, Arab Center, Washington; Marwan Kabalan - Director of Policy Analysis, Arab Centre for Research & Policy Studies, Doha

Is Mohammed bin Salman Really a Reformer? | UpFront

In this week’s UpFront, we discuss reform in Saudi Arabia under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the country's role in the war in Yemen.

Debating in a Special Arena are self-exiled Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, founder of the Arabia Foundation Ali Shihabi, and the executive director for Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa division, Sarah Leah Whitson.

And as Donald Trump takes full credit for 2017 economic growth in the United States, we set the record straight with a Reality Check on the “Trump Bump”.

Are Saudi Arabia and UAE Buying Influence in the White House? - Inside Story

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is reported to have boasted that he has US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in his pocket. And leaked documents allege a major fundraiser for the President was offered business deals from the Gulf to influence U.S. policy.

The potential role of foreign money in the Trump White House is attracting the scrutiny of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Are these lobbying efforts reshaping the Middle East?

Presenter: Jane Dutton | Guests: Mahjoob Zweiri - Director of the Gulf Studies Center, Qatar University; Khalil Jahshan - Executive Director, Arab Center Washington DC; Afshin Shahi - Senior Lecturer of Middle East Politics, University of Bradford

What Impression Is Saudi Crown Prince Making Globally? - Inside Story

The Saudi Crown Prince is promoting himself as a social and an economic reformer - reinventing his Kingdom for the modern era. But since his rise to power last year, Mohammed bin Salman has been a controversial figure. He has put together a range of reforms at home, including easing restrictions on women's rights, and a more open policy on entertainment and public performances. And he is behind a major anti-corruption drive targeting the Saudi elite, which critics say also removes domestic rivals.

The United Nations says the Saudi bombing campaign in Yemen has contributed to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. And the Crown Prince has hit out at Iran, comparing the country's Supreme leader to Adolf Hitler. And now reports have emerged of a plan to reshape the political map of the Middle East and fracture the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Presenter: Laura Kyle | Guests: Joe Macaron - Policy analyst at the Arab Center Washington DC; Rami Khouri, a Senior Public Policy Fellow and adjunct professor of journalism at the American University of Beirut; Sami Hamdi, Editor-in-Chief of International Interest

Why Is Britain Rolling Out the Red Carpet for the Saudi Crown Prince? | Inside Story

The red carpet has been rolled out at Buckingham Palace and Number 10 Downing Street in London for Mohammed Bin Salman on his first trip abroad since he became Saudi Crown Prince.

The 32-year old became heir to the throne after a palace crisis last June. Since then, he's continued his country's involvement in the war in Yemen, launched the blockade of Qatar and began what his government calls an anti-corruption drive. Dozens of high profile princes and businessmen were arrested and held in a hotel accused of corruption.

His country is accused by human rights organisations of widespread abuses, and has been criticised for its conduct of the war in Yemen, a conflict which has caused a humanitarian catastrophe. So what will be the impact of his visit, both for Saudi Arabia and the UK?

Presenter: Richelle Carey | Guests: David Hearst - Editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye; Khalil Jahshan - Executive Director of Arab Center Washington DC; Anas Altkriti - President of the Muslim Association of Britain

Saudi Arabia Kidnapping World Leaders Now

The Saudis aren’t playing around. Cenk Uygur, the host of The Young Turks, breaks down the kidnapping of the Lebanese prime minister.

NY Times' Tom Friedman Presses Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman On Global Policy Views | CNBC

Tom Friedman, New York Times foreign affairs columnist and best selling author of "Thank you for Being Late," discusses his groundbreaking interview with the Mohammad Bin Salman, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince.

This man is talking BS. Wahhabism didn't start in 1979, and nor did it start with the Iranian Revolution. Further, MbS is not restoring Islam to its moderate version. Islam has never been moderate. That's an outright lie. This man has been taken in by MbS. This discussion is sickening to listen to. But it does play into the Western narrative, I suppose. – @Mark Alexander

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Who Is Mohammed bin Salman? (MBS Biography)

Saudi Financial Crisis at Heart of Princely Rage

The severe financial crisis and foreign policy failures are making Prince Mohammed bin Salman increasingly belligerent, says Vijay Prashad

UK Hosts Conference on Saudi Crisis

Saudi Arabia's heir to the throne has recently been making bold political moves - detaining some of his relations and a number of the kingdom's wealthiest businessmen amid an ongoing war with Yemen.

Mohammed bin Salman's policies have been the focus of a conference in London attended by analysts, academics and senior political figures. The conference aims to highlight what's at stake, namely the stability of the Gulf region and that of other countries like Lebanon and Iran.

Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal reports from London.

Saudi Arabia's Purge: A Quest for Media Control? - The Listening Post

Inside Story: What Is Mohammed Bin Salman's Next Move?

There are reports that Saudi Arabia is demanding money from the senior officials it recently arrested.

Saudi Arabia's 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is stoking huge tension in an already volatile region. He has made a number of controversial decisions that many believe could forever change the Kingdom and the entire region.

The developments in Saudi Arabia and what they mean for the rest of the world, have been the focus of a conference in London on Saturday. That's where former diplomats and Middle East Analysts have been meeting to discuss the crisis and Saudi Arabia's future. So, how far will Saudi Arabia's young crown prince go to achieve his goals?

Presenter: Laura Kyle | Guests: Pierre Conesa - Lecturer at the Paris Institute for Political Studies; Sami Hamdi - Editor-in-chief of The International Interest; Afshin Shahi - Senior lecturer in International Relations & Middle East Politics at the University of Bradford

Is Saudi Arabia Becoming a Danger to the Region? -UpFront

In this UpFront special, we ask US Congressman Ro Khanna why he believes the US government should stop supporting the Saudi-led bombing of Yemen.

Also on the show, we debate with a panel of experts the rights and wrongs of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s domestic and regional policies.

What Is Happening In Saudi Arabia? - Marwa Osman on The Corbett Report

The Lebanese Prime Minister has "resigned" on Saudi tv. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has rounded up a dozen other princes in the House of Saud in a startling move that threatens to upset the kingdom. Reports saying that King Salman will step aside for the crown prince abound. What the hell is happening? Joining us to help sort through the rubble of this incredible week is Marwa Osman, a political analyst and commentator in Beirut.

Saudi Prince Cracks Down At Home and Abroad; Trump in Asia

Inside Story: Is the Saudi Crown Prince a Reformist or Power-hungry?

The arrests in Saudi Arabia have spurred days of speculation and analysis. There was the element of surprise, the detentions took place on Saturday night and without warning.

The element of power – most of those arrested are men of influence. And an element of uncertainty, is this about purging corruption or consolidating power?

The man behind it all: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been a figure of controversy for months now. He is regarded as a progressive leader, touting social and economic reforms. But critics say MBS, as he's known, is also power-hungry. Over the course of two years, he went from being third in line to the throne, to first.

But what risks is the Crown Prince running? And can he meet the many challenges he faces both at home and in the region?

Presenter: Jane Dutton; Guests: Joseph Kechichian, Senior Fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research & Islamic Studies; Andreas Krieg, Assistant Professor at the Defense Studies Department at King's College London; Nicholas Noe, Editor in Chief of MideastWire dot com


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Jim Phillips Explains What's Happening in Saudi Arabia

What is happening in Saudi Arabia? Heritage expert, Jim Phillips joins us with the facts

Q&A: How the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia’s Views on Islam, Economy Could Change Country »

View from Iran: The Debate - Saudi Power Struggle

It was one of the largest sweeps in the Saudi Arabia’s history: 11 princes, and dozens of ministers and former ministers were arrested in what was termed an anti-corruption sweep. But was this really about corruption? In this debate, we’ll look at why the young Crown Prince Salman may be behind this wave of arrests, in what is said to tighten his grip on power, and whether he is in trouble due to his failed war on Yemen. Why have the arrests come at this time: did he feel threatened or was it to eliminate opposition?

The Link Between Saudi Prince's Power Grab and DC Corruption

The power moves by the Saudi kingdom at home and in Lebanon were made easier by buying influence in powerful circles of Washington, DC, says The Intercept's Ryan Grim

House of Saud: The Meteoric Rise of Mohammed bin Salman