The past five years have witnessed tremendous changes in Saudi Arabia affecting the line of royal succession, the business class, the religious establishment and the social scene. This week's episode of Bridging the Gulf will explain the significance of these changes in the context of the kingdom’s foundation, the decades-long intertwining of religion and political power, the discovery of oil, and Saudi Arabia's religious significance. It will also examine the rise of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and his interest in diversifying the economy to implement “Vision 2030”.

Speaker: Ms Eman Alhussein, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington

Opening tune by audionautix.com