The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), has redefined Saudi Arabia’s origins through the promotion of a new holiday, Founding Day, shifting the narrative of the state’s founding to minimize Wahhabism’s role. MBS has eliminated the religious police’s power and embraced entertainment to align with his Vision 2030 modernization goals. This historical transformation seeks to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s legitimacy as a unified, progressive nation, supporting broader U.S. interests in curbing intolerant ideologies.
ABOUT THE HOOVER HISTORY LAB & POLICY IN BRIEF
The Hoover History Lab is not a traditional academic department but instead functions as a hub for research, teaching, and convening—in person and online, in the classroom and in print. The Lab studies and uses history to inform public policy, develops next-generation scholars, and reinforces the work of Hoover’s world-class historians to inform scholarship and the teaching of history at Stanford and beyond.
The Policy in Brief analyzes contemporary global policy challenges, offering insights and providing possible solutions through a historical lens.
Learn more about the work at the Hoover History Lab: https://www.hoover.org/history-lab?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=HHL_policybrief
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The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Hoover Institution or Stanford University.
© 2025 by the Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University.
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