Mohammed bin Salman (MBS)
24 Articles

A New Security Order for the Middle East Must Address the Growing Saudi-UAE Rift
There are steps the United States can take to prevent the Saudi-UAE relationship from deteriorating further.

Why Mohamed bin Salman’s Slush Fund is an Urgent National Security Matter for Congress
"It may be shocking for Americans to realize that there are no laws barring U.S. officials from working or doing business with foreign governments once out of office, despite the…

Toward a Values-Based Foreign Policy: Developing an Ethical Checklist
The Biden administration can do more to develop and implement a “values-based” approach to foreign policy.

Need for US Ethics Reform Is Far from History: Kushner-MBS Deal Reflects Broken System
Recommended reforms include a two-year post-employment ban preventing senior and very senior officials from working on behalf of foreign governments, plus exploring options for…

Is MBS Entitled to Head of State Immunity?
A leading transnational law scholar on why MBS is not entitled to head of state immunity, the act of state doctrine does not bar claims in a civil suit arising from Khashoggi's…

Biden’s Weak Stand in Saudi Arabia Could Kick MBS’ Repression Machine Into Overdrive – But It’s Not Too Late to Act
The US could still change course to salvage the relationship, advance mutual interests, and expand overlapping values.

The “Khashoggi Ban”: What It Does and Doesn’t Mean
The "Khashoggi Ban" is a positive step for accountability for transnational repression, but it is undermined by the Biden administration’s reluctance to act against Saudi Crown…

Why the State Dept Should Reject Saudi Crown Prince MBS’s Claimed “Immunity”
The State Department refused to recognize head-of-state immunity for another Crown Prince, the UAE’s Mohamed bin Zayed in 2010. The same adherence to international law should…

Saudi Arabia’s MBS Served with Extrajudicial Killing Lawsuit – Via WhatsApp
Electronic service of process -- including via social media -- has become an increasingly common practice. Gone are the days of the pizza delivery ruse.

US Suit Against Saudi Prince for Attempted Killing of Ex-Insider Faces Hurdles
Ex-Saudi intelligence official Saad Aljabri's claim over an alleged assassination attempt faces issues including jurisdiction and immunity.

Timeline on Jared Kushner, Qatar, 666 Fifth Avenue, and White House Policy
A comprehensive account of Jared Kushner, 666 Fifth Avenue, and White House support for the blockade of Qatar after the Qataris rejected Kushner Companies.

On a President’s Orders: New Frontline Docs Look at Duterte and MBS
In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte isn’t pulling the trigger every time a drug dealer or drug user is killed by the police. Similarly, when Saudi journalist Jamal…