The rise of Mohammed Bin Salman

King Salman’s son Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) has been propelled into the limelight by his father’s accession to the throne. He has been gaining in power and influence for some time, but until now has had no formal government role; suddenly, he finds himself minister of defence, chief of the Royal Court, special adviser to the king, president of the newly formed Council of Economic and Development Affairs and a member of the parallel Council of Political and Security Affairs. It is a dramatic rise for a man thought to be in his early to mid-30s.