Saudi Arabia on Brink as Regional Conflicts Threaten Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), is facing unprecedented threats to his country and vision for economic transformation. The kingdom's oil production has been at its lowest point in 36 years, according to Opec, and the recent closure of the East-West pipeline due to Iranian-backed militia attacks further exacerbates this issue.
The Houthis, backed by Iran, are advancing along Yemen's Red Sea coast, threatening the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Despite Washington offering intelligence and other assistance, MBS reportedly phoned Donald Trump twice seeking American military intervention, but Mr. Trump declined the strikes that Riyadh wanted. Britain has sent military advisers, but like the US, has not committed to providing tangible military support.
MBS's Vision 2030 strategy, launched in 2016 to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil and diversify its economy, is now under threat due to the ongoing conflicts and isolation of the crown prince. Dr Rob Geist Pinfold, a lecturer in international security at King's College London, stated that 'his entire grand strategy has subsequently been predicated on creating a stable regional environment in which Saudi Arabia can focus inward on economic transformation.'