The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

FRONTLINE PBS | Official

28 Sept 2019114:48

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script offers a deep dive into the controversial figure of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), exploring his rise to power, his reforms, and the international outcry following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The narrative unfolds through interviews, investigations, and a timeline of events, revealing MBS's efforts to modernize Saudi Arabia under his Vision 2030, his crackdown on dissent, and the global response to Khashoggi's assassination. The piece raises critical questions about the prince's role in the murder, his commitment to reform, and the implications for Saudi Arabia's future and its international relations.

Takeaways

👑 The documentary examines the rise and influence of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), highlighting his initial embrace as a reformer and subsequent scrutiny following allegations of authoritarianism and human rights abuses.
📰 MBS was initially lauded for his social and economic reforms, including allowing women to drive and attempting to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil dependence, which garnered him significant international attention and support.
🔍 Despite his reforms, the documentary explores the darker side of MBS's rule, including the alleged torture of dissidents, surveillance of citizens, and the controversial military intervention in Yemen.
🗣️ The narrative delves into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, discussing the international outcry and allegations linking MBS to the assassination, which was a turning point in the public perception of the prince.
🤝 The documentary outlines the close relationship between the Trump administration and MBS, suggesting that the White House chose to support MBS despite concerns over his actions and human rights violations.
💰 The Saudi government's efforts to manage dissent are highlighted, including the arrest of wealthy businessmen and princes in the Ritz-Carlton hotel, which was framed as an anti-corruption campaign but criticized as a consolidation of power.
📉 The impact of MBS's policies on Saudi society is discussed, with the documentary noting the suppression of free speech and the intimidation of activists, particularly women's rights activists who faced arrest and alleged torture for their advocacy.
📱 The script details the use of technology and social media as tools for state control, including the creation of a 'blacklist' of government critics and the alleged infiltration of Twitter by Saudi officials to monitor and manipulate public opinion.
🔑 The involvement of high-tech surveillance companies and the procurement of spyware like Pegasus to hack and monitor activists is explored, illustrating the extent to which the Saudi government is willing to go to silence dissent.
🌐 The international response to MBS's actions is covered, including the reactions from the United Nations, the CIA's assessment of MBS's role in Khashoggi's murder, and the debate over the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia.
🏃 The documentary concludes with a look at MBS's continued efforts to modernize Saudi Arabia under his Vision 2030 plan, despite the ongoing controversy and calls for accountability for human rights abuses.

Q & A

Who is the subject of the FRONTLINE documentary?
-The FRONTLINE documentary is about Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
What was Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's initial reception in the United States?
-Prince Mohammed Bin Salman was initially lauded and embraced as a reformer when he came to the United States.
What was the context of Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance?
-Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi Arabian journalist and critic of Prince Mohammed, disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork for his wedding.
What was Jamal Khashoggi's stance on the Saudi-led war in Yemen?
-Initially, Jamal Khashoggi was a supporter of the Saudi-led war in Yemen, believing it was necessary to prevent Iranian hegemony.
What reforms did Prince Mohammed Bin Salman introduce in Saudi Arabia?
-Prince Mohammed Bin Salman introduced social reforms such as lifting the ban on women driving, stopping the religious police from arresting individuals for public morality infractions, and allowing public entertainment like music and cinema.
How did the Saudi government respond to dissent after Mohammed Bin Salman became crown prince?
-The Saudi government, under Mohammed Bin Salman, cracked down on dissent, arresting critics, activists, and even members of the royal family who were seen as threats to his power.
What role did Saud al-Qahtani play in the Saudi government's control of information?
-Saud al-Qahtani was a close aide to Prince Mohammed who was tasked with policing Twitter and manipulating social media discourse to control public opinion and suppress dissent.
What was the international response to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi?
-The murder of Jamal Khashoggi sparked international outrage and led to increased scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's human rights record and the role of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
What was the United States' position on the Khashoggi murder?
-The U.S. administration, particularly President Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, downplayed the intelligence linking Prince Mohammed to the murder and emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship.
What was the significance of the United Nations report on the Khashoggi murder?
-The United Nations report, prepared by Agnes Callamard, provided a detailed account of the murder and concluded that it was a state killing, an international crime, and called for further action to hold those responsible accountable.
How has Prince Mohammed Bin Salman continued to present himself after the Khashoggi murder?
-Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has continued to pursue his Vision 2030, a plan to modernize Saudi Arabia, and has tried to win the hearts of young Saudis with sporting events and concerts, while maintaining that those responsible for the Khashoggi murder will be brought to justice.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to Prince Mohammed Bin Salman

The video script begins with a discussion of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), highlighting his initial positive reception in the United States as a reformer and the subsequent scrutiny following allegations of human rights abuses, including the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The segment also touches on the Trump administration's close ties with MBS and the various controversies surrounding his rise to power.

05:01

👑 The Rise and Influence of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman

This paragraph delves into the background of MBS, his rise to power, and the influence he has amassed within the Saudi royal family. It outlines his father's grooming, MBS's aggressive stance on Iran, and his consolidation of power, including the removal of potential rivals. The paragraph also discusses the Yemen conflict initiated by MBS and the support he received from some Saudis, including Khashoggi.

10:02

🌐 MBS's Western-Facing Reforms and Control Over Dissent

The third paragraph focuses on MBS's efforts to modernize Saudi Arabia, including economic and social reforms, and his plan to diversify the nation's economy away from oil dependence. It also addresses the tightening control over freedom of expression, with the use of surveillance and the blacklisting of critics on social media platforms like Twitter, indicating a shift from openness to oppression.

15:03

🕍 Consolidation of Power and the Detention of Elites

This section discusses MBS's consolidation of power, including his removal of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and the subsequent arrest and detention of prominent businessmen, princes, and activists at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh. It highlights the allegations of corruption, the forced resignation of Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and the broader crackdown on dissent within Saudi Arabia.

20:04

🏢 The Ritz-Carlton Purge and its Aftermath

The narrative continues with the aftermath of the Ritz-Carlton detentions, including reports of torture and the public prosecutor's denial of torture allegations. It also covers the international response to the arrests and the ongoing detention without trial of the activists, reflecting the increasing authoritarianism under MBS's rule.

25:12

📰 The Washington Post and Khashoggi's Critique

This paragraph details Jamal Khashoggi's move to the United States and his subsequent role as a columnist for The Washington Post, where he criticized MBS's regime. It discusses the personal impact on Khashoggi, including the travel ban on his son and the harassment he faced on social media, highlighting the broader context of repression in Saudi Arabia.

30:13

🕋 The Murder of Jamal Khashoggi

The script recounts the murder of Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the subsequent cover-up attempts by Saudi officials, and the international response. It includes details of the alleged involvement of high-ranking Saudi officials, including MBS, and the shifting narratives provided by the Saudi government in the aftermath of the murder.

35:14

🔍 The Investigation and Global Response

This section covers the global investigation into Khashoggi's murder, including the role of the CIA and the United Nations. It discusses the conclusions drawn by various international bodies, the leaked summary of the CIA report, and the Trump administration's response, emphasizing the political and diplomatic tensions that arose from the incident.

40:14

🎶 MBS's Ongoing Reforms and the Legacy of Khashoggi

The final paragraph outlines MBS's continued push for his Vision 2030, an ambitious reform plan for Saudi Arabia, despite the ongoing controversy surrounding Khashoggi's murder. It contrasts the image of reform with the reality of repression and the unresolved quest for justice for Khashoggi, highlighting the complex legacy of MBS's leadership.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Mohammed bin Salman (MBS)

Mohammed bin Salman, often abbreviated as MBS, is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and a central figure in this video. The narrative explores his rise to power, his policies, and the controversies surrounding his governance, particularly the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. MBS is portrayed as a reformer and a tyrant, reflecting the duality of his leadership—pushing progressive reforms domestically while aggressively suppressing dissent.

💡Jamal Khashoggi

Jamal Khashoggi was a Saudi journalist critical of Prince Mohammed bin Salman's regime. His brutal murder in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul is a focal point of the video. Khashoggi's assassination is depicted as a symbol of the dangerous limits of MBS's authoritarian reach and the lack of tolerance for dissent within the Saudi regime. His death sparked international outrage and significantly impacted Saudi Arabia's global image.

💡Reformer

The term 'reformer' is used to describe MBS's initial international reception, where he was seen as a modernizer who could transform Saudi society with progressive reforms such as allowing women to drive and reducing the country's economic dependency on oil. This aspect of his leadership is critical to understanding the complexity of his rule, juxtaposed with his ruthless tactics against opponents.

💡Vision 2030

Vision 2030 is a strategic framework to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism. This initiative is strongly associated with MBS and is mentioned as part of his reformist agenda aimed at modernizing the Saudi economy and society.

💡Authoritarian

This concept is central to understanding the dual nature of MBS's rule. Despite his reformist image, the video depicts him as an authoritarian leader who does not hesitate to use oppressive measures to silence dissent and consolidate power, as evidenced by the crackdown on Saudi elites at the Ritz-Carlton and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

💡Ritz-Carlton crackdown

The Ritz-Carlton crackdown refers to an event where more than 200 Saudi businessmen, royals, and officials were detained in Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton hotel on charges of corruption. This 2017 event is portrayed in the video as a power move by MBS to consolidate power and intimidate those who could challenge his authority.

💡Saudi Arabia-U.S. relations

The relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States is a recurring theme in the video, highlighted by the strategic and military alliances, particularly under President Donald Trump's administration. The interactions reflect the geopolitical and economic importance of Saudi Arabia to the U.S., despite controversies such as Khashoggi's murder.

💡Yemen War

The Yemen War is presented as a significant aspect of MBS's foreign policy. Initiated by Saudi Arabia under his defense ministry leadership, the war is criticized for its humanitarian impact, including widespread civilian casualties and famine. This conflict exemplifies the aggressive side of MBS’s regional policy.

💡Dissident

A dissident in this context refers to individuals, like Jamal Khashoggi, who oppose or criticize the government. The video discusses the fate of dissidents under MBS’s rule, highlighting the dangers they face, including surveillance, detention, and murder. The term helps understand the risks for those who challenge the regime's policies.

💡International outrage

This term refers to the global reaction to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, which caused a significant diplomatic crisis for Saudi Arabia. The video uses this concept to discuss how the incident affected Saudi Arabia's international relations and led to a reevaluation of MBS’s image as a reformer.

Highlights

Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is scrutinized in-depth by FRONTLINE, revealing his rise to power and his controversial reforms.

Initially embraced as a reformer in the U.S., MBS faced increasing criticism following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The documentary explores the suppression of dissidents and the extent of control under MBS, including the surveillance of princes and businesspeople.

The brutal murder of Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul is a central focus, with allegations of high-level involvement.

President Trump's reaction to the Khashoggi murder is examined, with accusations of a cover-up by the Saudi regime.

The role of MBS in the Yemen conflict is discussed, with the humanitarian crisis and civilian casualties being highlighted.

The documentary delves into MBS's close relationship with the Trump administration and its implications on foreign policy.

The power dynamics within the Saudi royal family are revealed, with MBS's rise to the position of crown prince.

The use of social media as a tool for manipulation and surveillance by MBS's aide, Saud al-Qahtani, is exposed.

Allegations of torture and the silencing of women's rights activists in Saudi Arabia are brought to light.

The Ritz-Carlton detention of wealthy Saudis, allegedly for corruption, is investigated as a potential consolidation of power by MBS.

The impact of MBS's reforms on Saudi society, including the lifting of the ban on women driving, is assessed.

The international response and pressure following the Khashoggi murder are detailed, including reactions from the U.S. Congress.

The United Nations' involvement and Callamard's report labeling the murder as an 'international crime' are covered.

The complicity of high-level Saudi officials in the murder is questioned, with some suggesting it was a 'rogue operation'.

MBS's continued push for his Vision 2030 reform plan, despite the controversy, is highlighted.

The documentary concludes with the ongoing debate about MBS's legacy and the future direction of Saudi Arabia.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Alexander the Great's Conquest - Balkan Campaign 335 BC

Adolf Eichmann - Murderer of Millions Documentary

From spy to president: The rise of Vladimir Putin

The Dark Secrets Of FDR’s 4th Presidential Term | The Wheelchair President Real History

Julius Caesar - Greatest Conqueror Ever?

Lenin & The Russian Revolution Documentary

Related Tags

Saudi Arabia Political Documentary Mohammed Bin Salman Jamal Khashoggi Human Rights Middle East Politics Royal Family International Relations Media Coverage National Security