Inside Story

Reforms or reset in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia’s new king signals an unprecedented shift of power to a new generation.

In a country more used to inching forward when it comes to major change, Saudi Arabia’s new king has been making great strides.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud acceded to the throne in January after the death of his half-brother, Abdullah. And in less than four months he has swept out much of the old guard, overhauled his cabinet and become involved in a war.

Salman has also realigned the succession. The king’s 55-year-old nephew, Mohammed bin Nayef, has been appointed crown prince while his son, said to be in his early 30s, is second in line to the throne.

It marks an unprecedented shift in power from the sons of the kingdom’s founder, King Abdulaziz, to his grandsons.

But will the new generation usher in new thinking? Or does the shake-up represent more of a reset than reforms?

Presenter: Martine Dennis

Guests:

Khaled Batarfi – a senior columnist at the Saudi Gazette and assistant professor at Al Faisal University.

Toby Matthiesen – a research fellow in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies at Pembroke College, Cambridge University.