The Saudi Royal Family: modernisation and succession

Since the birth of modern Saudi Arabia circa 1925, the course of the kingdom’s modernisation has been influenced by succession, consensus and conflict within the House of Saud. Today the kingdom stands at a crossroads without precedent in the royal family’s modern history as King Salman and his surviving brothers apparently seek to combine a leap of succession to the throne down generations with bold modernisation plans and departures in foreign policy. What his the historical backdrop for this dramatic turn in the royal family’s history and where will it lead Saudi Arabia and the Middle East?

Steve Coll (@SteveCollNY) is the Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century and Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001 . He is Dean of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, and a staff writer at The New Yorker. Between 1985 and 2005, Coll was a reporter, foreign correspondent and senior editor at The Washington Post; and he served as managing editor of the Post between 1998 and 2004.

David Motadel (@DavidMotadel) is Assistant Professor of International History at LSE.

This is the Annual Gulf History Lecture hosted by the Department of International History with the generous support of the LSE Kuwuait Programme.

The Department of International History (@lsehistory) is one of the top five university history departments in the UK.

Twitter Hashtag for this event: #LSEColl

LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of The London School of Economics and Political Science.

From time to time there are changes to event details so we strongly recommend that if you plan to attend this event you check back on this listing on the day of the event.

Whilst we are hosting this listing, LSE Events does not take responsibility for the running and administration of this event. While we take responsible measures to ensure that accurate information is given here (for instance by checking that the room has been booked) this event is ultimately the responsibility of the organisation presenting the event.

LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the London School of Economics and Political Science.