Decoder with Nilay Patel Recode Decode: Ben Hubbard
Mar 23, 2020
Ben Hubbard, Beirut bureau chief for The New York Times and author of "MBS: The Rise to Power of Mohammed bin Salman," dives into the controversial reign of Saudi Arabia's crown prince. He discusses MBS's unexpected ascendancy, the chilling aftermath of Jamal Khashoggi's murder, and the use of technology in controlling dissent. Hubbard also explores the dynamics of U.S.-Saudi relations under Trump, the implications of ambitious projects like NEOM, and the ongoing challenges of reforming a tightly controlled regime.
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MBS promoting reforms while jailing activists for it
- Women who fought for driving rights were jailed. MBS, promoting this reform.
- This shows a disconnect, where companies praised the reform while activists were imprisoned.
Tech for Authoritarianism
- MBS leveraged technology for authoritarianism, using bots and arrests to control Twitter narratives.
- Saudis rely heavily on Twitter, making it a powerful tool for shaping public perception.
Khashoggi's Shift and Murder
- Jamal Khashoggi, initially close to the royals, became critical of MBS.
- After being silenced, Khashoggi fled to the US and wrote critical columns for The Washington Post, leading to his murder.
