Skip to content
More from
Bloomberg
Politics
relates to Pentagon Reverses Itself, Calls Deadly Kabul Drone Strike an Error
Pentagon Reverses Itself, Calls Deadly Kabul Drone Strike an...
relates to FDA Panel Backs Pfizer Booster for 65 and Up, Rejects Broad Use
FDA Panel Backs Pfizer Booster for 65 and Up, Rejects Broad...
relates to Tanzania Cuts GDP Growth Forecast, Hikes Deficit
Tanzania Cuts GDP Growth Forecast, Hikes Deficit
relates to UN Chief Says China, U.S. Should Repair ‘Dysfunctional’ Ties
UN Chief Says China, U.S. Should Repair ‘Dysfunctional’ Ties
relates to France Recalls Its Ambassador to U.S. for First Time Over Submarine Deal
France Recalls Its Ambassador to U.S. for First Time Over Su...
relates to Republicans Chide IMF Chief Over China Data Manipulation Report
Republicans Chide IMF Chief Over China Data Manipulation Rep...
relates to Thousands of Haitian Migrants Converge on Texas Border Town
Thousands of Haitian Migrants Converge on Texas Border Town
relates to U.S. Booster Plan Scaled Back; U.K Eases Travel: Virus Update
U.S. Booster Plan Scaled Back; U.K Eases Travel: Virus Updat...
relates to Alleged Mafia Consigliere Surrenders After Three Days in Hiding
Alleged Mafia Consigliere Surrenders After Three Days in Hid...
relates to Trump NYC Tower Debt Hits Watch List With Vacancies Rising
Trump NYC Tower Debt Hits Watch List With Vacancies Rising
Subscriber Only
Politics

Saudi Crackdown on Dissent Wins Backing From Religious Body

By
and
Updated on
  • Neutralized Saudis working for ‘foreign’ powers: government
  • Papers accuse those arrested of supporting Muslim Brotherhood
Women use their smartphones while visiting the Al Yasmin mall in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 6, 2017.

Women use their smartphones while visiting the Al Yasmin mall in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 6, 2017.

 Photographer: Tasneem Alsultan/Bloomberg

Saudi authorities have launched the most severe crackdown on dissent in years, arresting prominent clerics and activists amid growing speculation that King Salman will abdicate in favor of his powerful son.

Given the absolute powers enjoyed by Saudi rulers, any succession is sensitive. But that would especially be the case now with the 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman promoting unprecedented economic change, at the same time as pursuing a more aggressive foreign policy that includes the war in Yemen and the four-nation boycott of Gulf neighbor Qatar.