ABSTRACT
Throughout the revolutionary period since 2011 the Arab monarchies, with the exception of Bahrain, have remained immune to chaos. One key tool for maintaining monarchical stability has been generous Gulf financial allotments, particularly to Jordan. The most successfully pro-active monarchy, the UAE, has projected military power throughout the region. The most alarming performance, particularly since 2017, has been that of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) of Saudi Arabia. He has combined far-reaching economic and social reforms in the Kingdom with brutal domestic suppression and crashing failures at the regional strategic level. These culminated in shocking Saudi performances in Yemen, vis-à-vis Qatar, and involving the assassination of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
