With the consolidation of power by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) who arrested senior princes and military officials, such moves increasingly make Saudi Arabia more akin to a modern authoritarian state than the hereditary monarchy it’s been for almost nine decades. “MBS has moved Saudi Arabia’s system from one of consensus within the family to one-man rule,” said James Dorsey, a senior fellow at RSIS. “The kingdom will be stable as long as he can maintain his iron grip,” he added.