How 2017 laid the groundwork for momentous change in Saudi Arabia next year
Saudi Arabia in 2017 laid the groundwork for momentous change next year, defying its conservative reputation for slow, cautious reforms by announcing plans to let women drive, allow movie theaters to return and to issue tourist visas. The kingdom could even get a new king.
King Salman and his ambitious 32-year-old son and heir, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, have upended decades of royal family protocol, social norms and traditional ways of doing business. They bet instead on a young generation of Saudis hungry for change and a Saudi public fed up with corruption and government bureaucracy.
Here’ a look at the major pivots of the past year and the reforms to come in 2018:
New heir to the throne
In possibly the boldest move by the king’s son this year, he pushed aside the then Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef to become first-in-line to the throne.