In the modern Gulf, a region once viewed as a sleepy backwater of oil princes and ceremonial monarchs has become a powerhouse of economic transformation, shifting alliances, ambitious visions and intense personality-driven leadership. At the center of this transformation stands Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (MBS), the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. How powerful is he compared to his fellow Gulf royals and what explains his outsized influence on both regional and global affairs?
The Saudi Crown Prince: Mohammed bin Salman’s roles and reach
Mohammed bin Salman is not just the heir apparent of Saudi Arabia, he is the de facto ruler of the kingdom, wielding unprecedented authority over political, economic and security institutions. Formally, he holds the positions of Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund. These are the roles that make him the singular architect of Saudi policy at home and abroad.
Saudi Arabia remains by far the most populous and economically significant Gulf state. Home to vast oil reserves that have shaped global markets for decades, Riyadh’s strategic importance has only grown as it seeks to diversify its economy and expand political influence. Unlike most other Gulf monarchs, MBS controls both the political and economic levers of the state, from domestic governance and defence to foreign diplomacy and investment decisions.
Mohammed bin Salman
One of his central instruments of influence is the Public Investment Fund (PIF), now valued at nearly a trillion dollars and one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds. Under his supervision, the PIF has become a central driver of Saudi economic policy, funding mega-projects like NEOM and directing multi-billion-dollar investments in global industries. This financial heft gives MBS influence far beyond Riyadh’s borders, enabling him to shape international business trends and foster strategic partnerships.
Mohammed bin Salman’s power through consolidation: The 2017–2019 purge
MBS’s consolidation of power within Saudi Arabia starkly illustrates his dominance. In late 2017, he orchestrated a sweeping purge targeting key figures in the Saudi establishment, including senior princes, ministers, and business elites. The operation, labelled an anti-corruption drive, dramatically centralised authority in the hands of the Crown Prince and sidelined powerful rivals including members of rival family factions.This move marked a sharp break from the traditionally consensus-driven politics of the House of Saud, where power was broadly dispersed across extended family networks and senior princes. By rapidly accumulating control over security forces and economic institutions, MBS has positioned himself as the principal decision-maker in Saudi governance, transcending the conventional ceremonial role often associated with Gulf heirs.
Comparing Gulf power centres: UAE , Qatar , Kuwait , Bahrain , Oman
To appreciate MBS’s relative strength, it’s critical to compare him with his counterparts in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC):
- Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MbZ), UAE – Perhaps MBS’s most visible peer and sometimes counterweight is Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates (commonly known as MbZ). As President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi since 2022, MbZ has been the de facto leader of the federation for years, shaping the UAE’s domestic and international strategy. He is widely recognised as a strategic architect of Emirati power, applying a blend of economic diversification, assertive foreign policy and strong security posture. Historically, MbZ was seen as a mentor to the younger MBS, helping secure regional backing for his leadership path. However, recent geopolitical developments, especially competition over influence in Yemen, Sudan and oil markets, have strained the partnership, turning it into a rivalry of interests rather than personalities. Analysts say that while the two leaders once appeared aligned against common threats (e.g., Qatar’s diplomatic assertiveness), their visions for Gulf leadership have increasingly diverged. The UAE under MbZ retains formidable soft and hard power: strong economic performance, global investment outreach, diplomatic ties with Western capitals and active engagement in Africa and Asia. However, MbZ’s influence is restricted within a smaller geopolitical footprint than Saudi Arabia’s and he does not command a comparably sized sovereign fund or the religious symbolism tied to Saudi leadership of Islam’s holiest sites.
- Qatar’s Emir, a different kind of power – Qatar’s ruling Al Thani family wields influence disproportionate to the country’s small size through strategic media (Al Jazeera), savvy diplomacy and hosting major global diplomatic initiatives. Doha has carved a niche as a mediator in conflicts and a hub for international negotiation. However, in traditional geopolitical and economic terms of military might, population size and oil revenue, Doha’s reach is more qualitative than comprehensive. When Saudi Arabia and the UAE led a blockade against Qatar in 2017, analysts underscored the power imbalance: resolution of the crisis required substantial concessions by Doha. This dynamic reflected Riyadh’s dominant position within the GCC even as Doha maintained independent diplomatic leverage.
- Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman states of stability, not hegemony – The smaller GCC states of Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman play stabilising roles but do not project power on the same scale as Riyadh or Abu Dhabi. Kuwait’s ruling family exercises significant influence domestically but its foreign policy is traditionally cautious. Oman frequently positions itself as a neutral mediator in regional disputes. Bahrain, while strategically aligned with Saudi Arabia, lacks independent influence outside the GCC security framework.
Global influence of Mohammed bin Salman: US ties, China, Russia and beyond
MBS’s power also reflects international alignments and global strategic relationships. Saudi Arabia under his leadership maintains deep ties with the United States, with recent engagements involving arms cooperation, economic partnerships and diplomatic coordination on Middle East security issues. Leaders in Washington continue to regard Riyadh as a key interlocutor concerning Iran, energy markets and regional stability.
FILE – President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shake hands after exchanging documents during a signing ceremony at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025.
Simultaneously, Riyadh has pursued diversified relations like strengthening ties with China and Russia, participating in OPEC+ energy diplomacy and engaging with emerging economies across Asia and Africa. This multipolar approach enhances Saudi leverage in global politics far beyond its oil exports.
Mohammed bin Salman’s critiques and constraints
Notwithstanding his power, MBS faces significant challenges, both external and internal. His foreign policy in Yemen and elsewhere has drawn criticism for humanitarian costs and strategic setbacks. Domestically, critics highlight human rights concerns and a political climate that suppresses dissent. These dynamics complicate Saudi Arabia’s global image even as they reinforce centralised control. Moreover, the ambition to transform Saudi society and diversify its economy through Vision 2030 requires sustained social support and economic resilience, not a given in a rapidly changing world.In 2026, Mohammed bin Salman stands as arguably the most powerful individual among Gulf royals, combining state authority, economic control and geopolitical influence in ways his peers cannot match. His leadership is defined by consolidation of power inside Saudi Arabia, strategic use of vast financial resources, bold foreign policy initiatives and efforts to position Riyadh at the center of both Islamic and global political orders.Yet this dominance coexists with dynamic rivalries, particularly with the UAE’s Mohamed bin Zayed and strategic complexities that ensure Gulf politics remain fluid and fiercely contested. As the region grapples with shifting alliances, energy transitions and global power recalibrations, the balance of influence among Gulf royals will continue to shape not only Middle Eastern geopolitics but also broader patterns of international engagement.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source timesofindia.indiatimes.com ’
