In recent years the de facto head of the House of Saud Mohammed bin Salman has promoted the
oil-rich kingdom as an open liberalizing nation that has invested in culture tourism and
social innovation to become a beacon for the region. Malise Ruthven a leading commentator on
Islamic affairs reveals the historical currents beneath these changes: how the royal house
co-opted Wahhabism to consolidate its power and enforce authoritarianism in collusion with
Western businesses and governments.
