Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (born 31 August 1985), widely known by his initials MBS, is the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. As the de facto ruler of the Kingdom, he occupies a central position in the contemporary political and social landscape of the Middle East. He is the son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his third wife, Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain. Born and raised in Riyadh, Mohammed bin Salman attended King Saud University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in law, graduating second in his class. Following his studies, he gained experience in the private sector before entering government service. His political career began in earnest in 2009 when he was appointed as a special advisor to his father, then-governor of Riyadh Province. As his father’s influence grew, so did Mohammed's; he held various advisory roles, including secretary-general of the Riyadh Competitive Council and advisor to the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives. In 2013, he was appointed chief of the Crown Prince Court, and in 2014, he became a minister of state. His rapid ascent to national prominence occurred in January 2015, when King Abdullah died and his father, King Salman, ascended to the throne. Mohammed was subsequently appointed Minister of Defense—becoming one of the world's youngest defense ministers at the time—and head of the Royal Court. In April 2015, he was named Deputy Crown Prince and second deputy prime minister. On June 21, 2017, King Salman removed his nephew, Muhammad bin Nayef, as crown prince and elevated Mohammed bin Salman to the position. In September 2022, he was formally appointed Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, an office traditionally held by the monarch. Mohammed bin Salman is primarily recognized for his ambitious national development framework, Vision 2030, which was launched in 2016. The plan is designed to diversify the Saudi economy, reducing its historic dependency on oil revenues by fostering growth in sectors such as tourism, entertainment, technology, and manufacturing. Central to this strategy is the expansion of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the pursuit of massive infrastructure projects, most notably the planned desert metropolis of NEOM. Domestically, his tenure has overseen significant social transformations, including the lifting of the long-standing ban on women driving, the expansion of public entertainment venues, and a reduction in the public influence of the religious police, alongside a more secularized nationalist governance style. His governance has also been marked by controversy and international scrutiny. His foreign policy, particularly the military intervention in Yemen that began in 2015, has faced criticism for its humanitarian consequences. Globally, his reputation was significantly impacted by the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul; a 2021 report by the United States Office of the Director of National Intelligence concluded that he had approved the operation. Additionally, he has overseen assertive crackdowns on domestic political dissent, targeting activists, religious scholars, and members of the royal family to consolidate authority. Mohammed bin Salman is married to Sara bint Mashour Al Saud, with whom he has children. His leadership has defined a transformative and often polarizing era for Saudi Arabia, characterized by rapid modernization efforts, the centralization of political power, and a proactive, if contentious, role in regional and international geopolitics.