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Inside the rapid rise and unprecedented power grab of Saudi Arabia's millennial crown prince

Peter JacobsNov 25, 2017, 08:37 IST

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister Mohammed bin Salman during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 30, 2017.REUTERS/Pavel Golovkin/Pool

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is rapidly becoming the driving force behind his Middle East kingdom and one of the most powerful people in the world.

The 32-year-old royal has influenced Saudi Arabia's military, foreign policy, economy, and even day-to-day religious and cultural life.

Crown Prince Mohammed - or MbS, as he's widely known - is also widely seen to be the muscle behind Saudi Arabia's recent anti-corruption purge. The heir to the throne, Crown Prince Mohammed is consolidating power in a way Saudi Arabia hasn't seen in decades.

Meet the powerful prince who could reshape the Middle East: