JIMMIE JOHNSON: THIS 36-YEAR-OLD CROWN PRINCE HAS QUICKLY MADE A NAME FOR HIMSELF ON THE GLOBAL STAGE AS THE DE FACTO LEADER OF SAUDIA ARABIA.

PRINCE MOHAMMAD BIN SALMAN, M-B-S FOR SHORT, J1N YOU NEED TO KNOW. 

THE CROWN PRINCE IS THE SON OF KING SALMAN – WHO ASCENDED THE THRONE AFTER HIS HALF-BROTHER KING ABDULLAH DIED IN 20-15. 

M-B-S QUICKLY ROSE IN THE RANKS – FROM MINSTER OF DEFENSE TO HANDLING DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HIS 86-YEAR-OLD FATHER AS CROWN PRINCE. 

MBS: ”Today, we want to make sure this relationship is maintained and improved for the sake of both countries.”

JOHNSON: HE HAD AMBITIOUS GOALS FOR HIS REIGN, INCLUDING MODERNIZING THE KINGDOM. 

BUT EGREGIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS- INCLUDING ACCUSATIONS HE ORDERED THE KILLING OF JOURNALIST JAMAL KHASHOGGI – HAVE OVERSHADOWED THOSE AMBITIONS. 

ALJAZEERA ANCHORWOMAN: “Relations between the two countries have been tense since the killing, but regional and financial challenges have forced Ankara and Riyadh to repair their ties.”

TO SILENCE HIS CRITICS, THE PRINCE ORDERED AN ANTI-CORRUPTION STING LEADING TO THE ARRESTS OF MORE THAN TWO DOZEN ROYAL FAMILY MEMBERS AND A BILLIONAIRE BUSINESSMAN. ALL WERE RELEASED AFTER THEY PAID HIM OFF. 

NOW THE CROWN PRINCE IS WORKING TO WIN OVER WORLD LEADERS, INCLUDING THOSE IN HIS BACKYARD. 

WITH PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SET TO VISIT SAUDIA ARABIA – THE APPARENT HEIR TO THE THRONE IS ONCE AGAIN A POINT OF CONTENTION. THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS AMERICA NEEDS TO BUILD A BETTER RELATIONSHIP TO OFFSET RISING ENERGY COSTS. BUT BIDEN IS DOWNPLAYING ANY ENCOUNTER WITH THE CROWN PRINCE. 

PRESIDENT BIDEN: “I’m not going to meet with MBS. I’m going to an international meeting.”

JOHNSON: WILL M-B-S BE BIDEN’S WAY TO LOWER GAS PRICES? ONLY TIME WILL TELL.
THE SAUDI CROWN PRINCE – J1N YOU NEED TO KNOW.