Zafar Bangash details the Saudi in-house struggle for power. As King Bin-Salman appears to suffer from dementia, his son Mohammed Bin-Salman is running affairs through his office. Comfortable arrangements and the appearance of Saudi unity are giving way to Prince Bin-Salman's shake-up. He has attacked officials for 'treasonous' suggestions of reconciliation with Iran.
Zafar reveals that Iranian Gen. Soleimani was on his way to discuss de-escalation with the Saudis, when he was assassinated by the Americans. In the wake of devastating blows from the Yemeni resistance, the Saudis may have desired to quiet down their Iranian front. The Americans appear to have taken advantage of the drawing-out of Soleimani. Their murder of the General may have also been a message to the Saudis, not to ease tensions with Iran.
There is also a lot of discontent inside the kingdom with the brash young Prince. His policies on Iraq, Yemen, and Syria are collapsing, as is the price of oil. Amidst all this, the insecure Bin-Salman has struck against other senior Saudi royalty. Once the king is dead, these other princes will be able to speak out more forcefully against him.
Zafar also discusses the cruel Saudi carceral system.
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Interview with Zafar Bangash
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