Karen Elliott House

Karen Elliott House, journalist and author who has covered Saudi Arabia for decades, offers a compact portrait of Mohammed bin Salman. She discusses his rapid consolidation of power, Vision 2030 social and economic reforms, the Ritz-Carlton anti-corruption purge, the Khashoggi affair, Gulf rivalries, and the tension between cultural liberalization and tight political control.

Karen Elliott House, former publisher of The Wall Street Journal and expert on Saudi Arabia, discusses her book on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. She reveals MBS's strategies to transform the kingdom through bold reforms and mega-projects. The conversation dives into the cultural shifts within Saudi society, the balance of nationalism and globalism, and how economic stability influences public support for reform. House also critiques Western misconceptions and highlights the geopolitical significance of MBS’s leadership in the Middle East.

Karen Elliott House, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and former Wall Street Journal publisher, delves into Saudi Arabia's dramatic transformation under Mohammed bin Salman. She discusses MBS's risky blend of social reforms and political repression and how this impacts global oil dynamics. House reveals the tension between Saudi ambitions and environmental goals, as well as the kingdom's strategic ties with China. She also shares poignant memories of Jamal Khashoggi and highlights the obsession with image management in today's Saudi society.