Saudi Arabia has taken a historical step that will have a far-reaching effect in Saudi Arabia as well as the world. It will also refurbish the image of Prince Salman bin Saud which for the past few months has been at the receiving end for the alleged killing of Adnan Khashoggi inside the US embassy in Turkey.
The campaign against the Saudi government was vociferously led by President Erdogan who had accused the Saudi government of complicity in the killing. With one stroke the crown prince has taken the wind out of the criticism against him by appointing Princess Reema bint Bandar Aziz Saud as the Saudi ambassador to the USA.
The Guardian has reported that Princess Reema replaced Prince Khalid bin Salman, the younger brother of the crown prince who was appointed the vice defense minister.
Rogue operation
There has been an international outcry mainly from the EU and USA over the killing of Kashoggi during last October allegedly inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The Saudi government had initially denied it but later agreed that the killing might be a"rogue operation." The crown prince has denied all involvement in the killing and one is apt to believe him.
Princess Reema
Princess Reema has a tough task ahead as she will have to grapple with hostile US lawmakers who have threatened to take tough action against Saudi Arabia for the killing of Khashoggi, who was a strong critic of the Saudi prince and policy.
She is the daughter of a former longtime ambassador to the US and at home has been a leading advocate of female empowerment.
The princess has worked earlier with the General Sports Authority where she is credited with a campaign to increase participation of Saudi women in sports. The New York Times has reported that the appointment is aimed to show the USA and the world a new face of Saudi Arabia and starting a new page.
She will also bring to the fore the revolutionary changes brought about by Prince Salman for giving rights to women.
Many support crown prince
The killing of Khashoggi, who was a columnist for the Washington Post and lived in Virginia has enraged many but the US president Donald Trump who will be meeting Kim Jong this month has stood by the side of the crown prince.
Third world leaders including Russia which recently remembered the German siege during World war II and China have stood by the side of the crown prince. He has just completed a visit to Pakistan and India and was warmly received by the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi with a hug
The controversy of the death of the opponent of the Saudi regime will most likely die away with the new appointment.
