The book by Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck, published in the UK by John Murray Publishers in September 2020, is a geopolitical thriller about Mohammed bin Salman’s ruthless quest for global power, murder, corruption, and espionage. This book attempts to address the policies and legacy of the 35-year-old crown prince of Saudi Arabia for readers accustomed to European and American perceptions of the Middle East. In the process, it also exposes the hypocrisy of America, a country that prides itself on being a champion of democracy yet is not above making dubious deals with totalitarian regimes.
The authors, who are employees of the Wall Street Journal and based in London and New York, are identified as “investigative reporters who focus on money — how it’s spent, where it goes, and what is its use.” They are able to create a complex and passionate portrait of a MBS girl, politician, businessman, IT nerd, aesthete, and drug addict by following this trail. His book is an enjoyable read because of the rich background he presents, highlighting how decisions and events contributed equally to MBS’s rise.
“We entered this project with the belief that we needed to know everything we thought we needed to know about Saudi Arabia and Mohammed [bin Salman],” Blood and Oil authors Bradley Hope and Wall Street wrote. As the Journal’s Justin Scheck said in his foreword, It was a wise decision for him to compile his book so quickly and in such a manner, as Blood and Oil consistently highlights how much Saudi Arabia has changed during the millennial reign of the crown prince.
“Blood and Oil: Mohammed bin Salman’s Ruthless Quest for Global Power” by Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck provides a gripping look into the inner workings of one of the world’s most powerful royal families. The central focus is on Saudi Arabia’s charismatic but ruthless Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). It is a book that focuses on the life of Muhammad Bin Salman (MBS), the crown prince of Saudi Arabia. The book highlights MBS’s rise to power and how his ambitions and ruthlessness have made him one of the most influential figures in the world.
The book starts off with a look at MBS’s early life, from his privileged upbringing to his time in the military. It then moves on to his rise to power, describing how he was able to gain influence in the royal court and eventually become crown prince. The book looks at MBS’s attempt to modernize Saudi Arabia and the consequences of his policies, including the war in Yemen and the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. It also looks at MBS’s attempt to expand Saudi Arabia’s international influence, including his close relationship with the Trump administration and his efforts to invest in the tech industry. The book paints a picture of a man who is willing to do whatever it takes to gain and maintain power, even if it means risking his own reputation or harming innocent people. Hope paints a bleak picture of the future, arguing the MBS’s ambition and ruthlessness will only lead to instability and suffering in the Middle East and beyond.
Bradley Hope and Justin Schick describe Mohammed bin Salman as one of King Salman’s sons and one of the most important and powerful Saudis nationally and internationally in the first part of Blood and Oil. Mohammed bin Salman was working as defense minister upon his father’s coronation in 2015, and he immediately began the process of removing dissident royals, including then-Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef. At just 35 years old, MBS’s sudden rise stunned the world. His campaign to restructure the country, including measures such as allowing women to work and relaxing strict Islamic regulations, won over the economic and political elite. But beneath the shiny facade was an unexpected interior.
Seizing time and opportunity, he informed himself “of the weaknesses of his rivals in the royal family.” His early fascination with both Alexander the Great and Niccolò Machiavelli shaped his temperament. He was raised thinking about “Steve Jobs and Bill Gates,” two guys who created lasting legacies by being as smart and results-oriented as their competitors. The authors skillfully use this information to better understand his thought process. The crown prince understood, the authors write, that “no one was more important than proving that he could be the man to revive strained relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia,” despite the fact that “the bombing of Yemen and economic things like promising renewal helped.” So he focused his efforts on winning over Silicon Valley CEOs, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and becoming the darling of the American media.
Threatening, imprisoning, or killing opponents or anyone who challenged the crown or monarchy was the first step taken by him and his closest advisers. The authors cover this in detail in Blood and Oil: Part Two of Mohammed Bin Salman’s Ruthless Struggle for Global Power. The book explores the unraveling of the longstanding alliance between the United States and Saudi Arabia, which was predicated on a straightforward trade deal: oil for military defense. Prominent US financiers, celebrities, and politicians eager to support the attractive but shrewd crown prince were caught in MBS’s trap. With the support of the Trump administration, Mohammed bin Salman kidnapped Mohammed bin Nayef on June 20, 2017, and demanded his resignation. After a long night of demands, threats, and orders, Prince Nayef finally relented and abdicated, handing over power to Mohammed bin Salman.
Scholars and critics were next on the new crown prince’s hit list, and in September 2017, his administration began targeting Wahhabi clerics for treason, including Salman al-Awda, poet and economist Essam al-Zamil, and journalist Jamal. Khashoggi was involved. . Reports of severe cruelty and abuse began to surface. MBS was suspected of having ordered the killing of writer Jamal Khashoggi. He bought one of the world’s most expensive yachts and a $70 million European chateau, all the while fending off criticism and flaunting his enormous fortune.
He organized a grand future investment initiative to raise capital for a newly strong and economically transformed Saudi Arabia. The participants included Stephen Schwarzman (CEO of Blackstone Group), Masayoshi Sun (CEO of Softbank), Travis Kalanick (former CEO of Uber), Ari Emanuel (Hollywood agent), Steve Mnuchin (US Treasury Secretary), Tom Barrick (Tycoon and Trump allies), Larry Fink (CEO of BlackRock), Richard Branson (founder of Virgin Group), and correspondents for the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Bloomberg, and The New York Times. It was at this event that Mohammed bin Salman unveiled his visionary NEOM city project and investment opportunities in it. Ultimately, though, Saudi Arabia found itself spending more money abroad. Nevertheless, the event was undeniably successful as it generated front pages, banners, and headlines for a week, thus endorsing Mohammed bin Salman’s succession to the Saudi monarchy. .
This book offers the reader a comprehensive analysis of the power dynamics within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as the dynamics of the Al Saud family. This is investigative journalism at its best. Blood and Oil: Mohammed Bin Salman’s Ruthless Struggle for Global Power is a book that captivates the reader from start to finish and uses clear, concise language to get its point across. You will find ample evidence and material in the book to assess Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s over-aggressive and overzealous actions.
By perusing this book, one can understand the geographic and political significance of Saudi Arabia worldwide. Saudi Arabia, which has about two-thirds of California’s population, is at the center of world politics and serves as an example of how one leader can jeopardize national security as well as the security of an entire state. With billions of dollars invested in it and a petro-dollar economy, Saudi Arabia is a prime example of a power struggle.
The Author, Tayyaba Khan is a researcher specializing in International Relations, with a focus on regional dynamics and geopolitics. Her work explores the complexities of regional conflicts, political economy, and security issues in various parts of the world.
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