The Global Story, The Global Story, Mohammed bin Salman: From pariah to peacemaker

The Global Story

The Global Story

Mohammed bin Salman: From pariah to peacemaker

March 13, 2025

26 minutes

Available for over a year

How did Saudi Arabia come to host leaders from the US, Russia and Ukraine for peace talks? Just a few years ago, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was publicly identified as the man who ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. As a result, he was referred to as a pariah by former President Joe Biden. So, how did MBS go from pariah to peacemaker?

Jonny Dymond speaks to journalist Jonathan Rugman, producer of the BBC documentary 'The Kingdom' about the life of Mohammed bin Salman.

Producers: Richard Moran, Tom Kavanagh, Mhairi MacKenzie and Eleanor Sly

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editors: Richard Fenton-Smith and Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins