King Salman in the Hospital: Concerns and Speculations in Saudi Arabia | INSS
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Home Posts King Salman in the Hospital: Concerns and Speculations in Saudi Arabia

King Salman in the Hospital: Concerns and Speculations in Saudi Arabia
Yoel Guzansky
9 May, 2022
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On Sunday, May 8, the official Saudi news agency reported that King Salman bin Abdulaziz, 86, was hospitalized in Jeddah for tests. The king's hospitalization comes at a sensitive time, and once again raises concerns and speculations as to the stability of the kingdom when he goes.

In light of a host of challenges, the kingdom may face a leadership crisis upon Salman's death. For instance, relations with United States, the central ally for 77 years, are already in crisis. There are quite a few figures in Washington who have not come to terms with the rule of Mohammad bin Salman, the king's son & heir and defense minister. The feeling in Riyadh is that the US administration no longer considers it a key ally and that at times it acts in a way that runs counter to Saudi essential interests.

This was the case with the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the policy toward the Houthis in Yemen, and above all, the threat from Iran and the negotiations conducted with it on the nuclear issue. Moreover, the approach to Mohammad bin Salman taken by President Biden (especially in light of the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the war in Yemen) was seen as nothing less than interfering in the kingdom's internal affairs and undermining the legitimacy of the de facto ruler and future king.

In addition, Saudi Arabia's relations with Iran are at a critical juncture. Talks between the two regional rivals require taking decisions, some significant. The dialogue between the two countries, ongoing since April 2021 in a relatively positive atmosphere, reflects the interest of the two rivals in relieving tensions and resolving problems that cloud their relations, in particular, the war in Yemen, which entered a critical phase with its change of leadership and the ceasefire between the Saudi-led coalition and Iran-backed Houthis.

The identity of the leader of the conservative kingdom, the largest economy in the Middle East and the guardian of the holy places of Islam, has regional and global importance and direct implications for Israel as well. Israel has a clear interest in both the stability of the kingdom and in its improved its relations with the United States so that it will continue to be part of the pro-American Arab camp. Moreover, it is estimated that bin Salman will show greater pragmatism than his father regarding the relationship between Jerusalem and Riyadh and a willingness for more openess in the relations.

But the mater of internal stability in the kingdom now stands in considerable question, at least until the new king stabilizes his rule. His centralized leadership and control of all the security bodies in the kingdom will help King Mohammad bin Salman, in due course, to rule fearlessly and suppress the opposition to his power that still remains. However, he is left with stubborn opponents from within who might undermine the legitimacy of his rule and propel the kingdom into a period of internal instability that would make it difficult for the kingdom to meet its ambitious goals.

Topics: Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States
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  • Research

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      • Israel and the Global Powers
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      • Europe
      • Iran and the Shi'ite Axis
      • Iran
      • Lebanon and Hezbollah
      • Syria
      • Yemen and the Houthi Movement
      • Iraq and the Iraqi Shiite Militias
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      • Israeli-Palestinian Relations
      • Hamas and the Gaza Strip
      • Peace Agreements and Normalization in the Middle East
      • Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States
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