The Guardian- There are legitimate questions about whether you can sweep out the Augean stables if you dont have clean hands
The slow-motion coup in Saudi Arabia is changing nothing and everything in the desert kingdom. An unprecedented series of arrests this weekend has put princes, former ministers and tycoons behind the gilded bars of a five star hotel. By precipitating theresignation of the Lebanese prime minister, a new front against long-time rival Iran was opened up just asan old one became inflamed by rocket fire. Yet the ruler of the repressive desert state remains the aged and ailing King Salman. His legitimacy derives from his lineage: he is a son of the nations founder, and traditionally the post of king passes from brother to brother in order of age. In an absolute monarchy, the kings word is final. Yet it is by deed that power is known.By that measure, theres only one person running Saudi Arabia: crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. If he ascends to the throne, the 33-year-old will have broken the grip of theolder Sauds over the state the familys patriarch founded.