Albert R. Hunt, Columnist

Reality Check for a Superstar Saudi Prince

Mohammed bin Salman made a big impression on a U.S. visit. A Middle East expert says it's too soon to be carried away.

April 15, 2018 at 2:00 PM UTC

Albert R. Hunt is a former Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He was the executive editor of Bloomberg News, before which he was a reporter, bureau chief and executive Washington editor at the Wall Street Journal.

1523641157_saudi pic — Photographer: Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

This article is for subscribers only.

For three weeks ending last weekend in Texas, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was the most celebrated foreign leader to visit the U.S. since China's Deng Xiaoping almost 40 years ago.

MBS, as he's called, was embraced by the administration of President Donald Trump. He saw former President Bill Clinton, leading tech executives, entertainment stars, titans of Wall Street, the foreign policy establishment and prominent journalists.