An American think tank has called for the release of former Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef from the international community, calling him a symbol of a competent and practical alternative to bin Salman, the reckless and dangerous Saudi Crown Prince.
“The news of the release of Saudi activist Lajin al-Hazloul from prison is a sign that external pressure on Saudi Arabia could yield positive results,” the Brookings Institute wrote in a report by Bruce Riddle, senior member and director of the American think tank’s intelligence project. The Biden government has cleverly called for an end to the Saudi-led war in Yemen and halted some arms deals. His government must continue to pressurize for the release of other human rights activists detained on false charges, as well as American citizens detained in Saudi Arabia.
Pressure for the release
The former CIA agent stressed that the international community must now pursue another goal and demand the release of former Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef. Bin Nayef was arrested not because he committed a crime, but because he is in trouble for the current Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. Muhammad bin Nayef saved the lives of tens, if not hundreds, of Americans and defeated al-Qaeda in his homeland. Washington’s pressure on Saudi leaders in this regard may seem unusual, but it must be done urgently, because Mohammed bin Nayef is a special issue given his great help in securing the Americans. In addition, his life is in danger
Biography
Muhammad bin Nayef is the son of Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz, a Saudi interior minister. He was educated in Oregon and then in FBI and Scotland Yard. He gradually replaced his father. Unlike his father, who was very skeptical of the Americans – if not malicious – Muhammad bin Nayef is more pro-American than the other Saudi princes, and far more competent than them, especially in the fight against terrorism.
“I first met with Mohammed bin Nayef when I was President Clinton’s Special Assistant for South Asia and the Middle East at the Supreme National Security Council,” Riddle said. I accompanied Vice President Al Gore on a trip to the Middle East in May 1998. We met Muhammad bin Nayef and his father during our meetings in Riyadh. It was then that we learned that the Saudi Interior Ministry had foiled an al-Qaeda plot to attack the US consulate in Jeddah during the vice president’s visit to the consulate ahead of a meeting with Crown Prince Abdullah.
“In addition to his international reputation as an optimistic intelligence figure, Mohammed bin Nayef has almost lost his life in an incident in 2009. it made him a hero.” the report said. Muhammad bin Nayef is perhaps the most successful intelligence officer in the Arab world. Leon Panta, another former CIA director, called him “the smartest and most successful figure of his generation.”
The fall of bin Nayef at the hands of the new Saudi Crown Prince
In April 2016, King Salman appointed Muhammad bin Nayef as his Crown Prince. He was the first of his generation to reach the highest levels of the royal family. In July 2017, King Salman removed him from the throne without any explanation and replaced him with his son Muhammad ibn Salman – Muhammad ibn Salman later launched a catastrophic war in Yemen and assassinated Jamal Khashoggi.
Just a year ago, Muhammad bin Nayef was arrested on charges of treason. He has not been seen in public since and has no access to communications. He was also reportedly denied medical care or medication. His life may be in danger.
“We are unaware of any judicial proceedings against him,” the Brookings Institute concludes. The charge of treason is, of course, an absurd charge. He is imprisoned because he is a symbol of a competent and practical alternative to the careless and dangerous Crown Prince. Muhammad bin Salman wants to remove the person who is the an important option to divert Saudi Arabia from the current dangerous path and turn it into a responsible partner. Biden’s team, especially the new intelligence leaders, must push for the release of imprisoned prince. We owe him a lot he said.
