Saudi Arabia ends revolutionary era, becomes post-ideological state under MBS
Saudi Arabia is transforming from a revolutionary religious empire into a post-ideological state focused on stability and prosperity under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). Historically, the kingdom was born from the 1744 pact between Wahhabi clerics and the Saud family, which declared much of Islam heretical and launched expansionist campaigns like the 1802 sack of Karbala. MBS is dismantling this revolutionary framework by appointing Shi'ite technocrats like Fahd Al-Saif as minister of Investment, promoting economic modernization over clerical authority. This shift includes détente with Iran, ending proxy wars, and promoting tourism/culture (women driving, cinemas). The kingdom now prioritizes GDP over doctrine, with legitimacy flowing from economic growth rather than religious purity. This represents a fundamental break from the post-1979 order where Saudi Arabia funded global Sunni radicalism. The China-brokered Saudi-Iran détente signals a move toward commercial geopolitics, though risks remain if Vision 2030 fails.