bobistheowl
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- Oct 14, 2014
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The King of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, died today, at age 90. The new king is his brother Salman. Abdullah had become king in 1996.
Salman is 79 years old. I don't know anything about him, but I figure, at his age, he probably wouldn't want to change things much. Hereditary kings usually like things to stay exactly the way they are, and men who become king at a very old age are less likely to do anything that might inspire a rival bid for leadership. Since all the other powerful men in the country are relatives, rather than rivals, there aren't many coup attempts, but King Faisal was assassinated by his half-brother's son, but that was personal, not business, and the assassin was beheaded, after being convicted of regicide.
Being king in Saudi Arabia doesn't pass from father to son; it usually goes to one of the senior members of the Saud family, but not necessarily the oldest. So, it's more like in The Godfather Trilogy than England, as far as succession goes.
Keep in mind that the Sauds are polygamous, so one of them can have several 'first born sons', by different mothers, and a Saudi son often has full brothers, and several groups of half-brothers.
From what I read about Salman, on the Wikipedia page, I don't think we have anything to fear from him. The Saud family are successful businessmen, who rule a country because, collectively, they own a huge portion of the Economy. Their interests are self interest, and they'll deal with anyone who will benefit the Saud family, and I think Salman will do that. He's a smart guy, and he should be no worse that the previous king, and likely better.
Salman is 79 years old. I don't know anything about him, but I figure, at his age, he probably wouldn't want to change things much. Hereditary kings usually like things to stay exactly the way they are, and men who become king at a very old age are less likely to do anything that might inspire a rival bid for leadership. Since all the other powerful men in the country are relatives, rather than rivals, there aren't many coup attempts, but King Faisal was assassinated by his half-brother's son, but that was personal, not business, and the assassin was beheaded, after being convicted of regicide.
Being king in Saudi Arabia doesn't pass from father to son; it usually goes to one of the senior members of the Saud family, but not necessarily the oldest. So, it's more like in The Godfather Trilogy than England, as far as succession goes.
Keep in mind that the Sauds are polygamous, so one of them can have several 'first born sons', by different mothers, and a Saudi son often has full brothers, and several groups of half-brothers.
From what I read about Salman, on the Wikipedia page, I don't think we have anything to fear from him. The Saud family are successful businessmen, who rule a country because, collectively, they own a huge portion of the Economy. Their interests are self interest, and they'll deal with anyone who will benefit the Saud family, and I think Salman will do that. He's a smart guy, and he should be no worse that the previous king, and likely better.
