American role in Saudi game of throne

Closer ties between Saudi Arabia and US President Donald Trump’s administration helped pave the way for a succession shake-up making a 31year-old prince the kingdom’s de facto ruler, analysts say.

On Wednesday King Salman, 81, named his son Mohammed bin Salman crown prince and heir to the throne after firing Mohammed bin Nayef, whose counter-terrorism expertise had made him a favourite of previous American administrations.

Over the past two years Mohammed bin Salman accumulated vast powers at the expense of Mohammed bin Nayef, 57, a veteran law enforcer who served as both crown prince, interior minister. Mohammed bin Salman chipped away at his authority but Mohammed bin Nayef ’s popularity with the previous US administration of Barack Obama had prevented his ouster, said Stephane Lacroix, associate professor at Sciences Po university in Paris.

“This all changed when Trump came to power,” he said. After assuming office in January, Mr Trump made it clear that his Middle East partners are Mohammed bin Salman, Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, Lacroix said. Riyadh welcomed Mr Trump’s more aggressive attitude towards its rival Iran that Saudi Arabia accuses of interference throughout the region. Prince Salman was an early visitor to the US, where he met Mr Donald Trump.