Despite the multiple crises currently swirling around Saudi Arabia, newly installed King Salman bin ‘Abd al-‘Aziz has spent the first few days on the throne consolidating power at home, announcing a sweeping cabinet change on 29 January, barely a week after the death of King ‘Abd Allah.
King Salman retained the long serving oil, finance and foreign ministers in a sign of continuity on key economic and foreign policy matters. But a surprise announcement, installing one of his younger sons, Prince Muhammad bin Salman, as defense minister within one hour of his late brother’s death has raised eyebrows. (CONTINUED - 973 WORDS)
