AFP Contributor
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is trying to transform the oil-rich Persian Gulf kingdom.
- After a rocky start, he's gained confidence on the world stage and launched bold diplomatic shifts.
- But reports of human-rights abuses in Saudi Arabia are in contrast with his reformist image.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is on a mission to transform his country.
He's spending huge amounts of money to reduce Saudi Arabia's reliance on oil revenues and future-proof its economy. But he's also drawing attention for unexpected diplomatic maneuvers and cultural reforms in a still conservative nation.
Here's how Saudi Arabia's effective leader got to where he is today.