Mohammed Bin Nayef takes a lead role on Syria

Interior minister Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef (MBN)’s recent high-profile visit to Washington was followed by widespread reports that he has been charged with rescuing the Syria portfolio, and is retuning Saudi policy to better suit Washington. The prolonged absence of General Intelligence Directorate (GID) chief Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, whose leadership on Syria has caused considerable displeasure in the United States, would appear to have given Riyadh the chance to soften its tone on Syria, a conflict which has left the bilateral US-Saudi relationship somewhat bruised.