The Wall Street Journal's Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck chart MBS's evolution from an unfocused, overweight kid with a taste for McDonald's to an increasingly brutish man with an eye on the throne.
The oil-rich kingdom has poured millions of dollars into a global damage control campaign. While some governments have shunned the country, the Trump administration remains a strong supporter.
Saudi Arabia's campaign of denial would never have gotten off the ground had it not been for the Trump administration's support over the past year, say former State Department officials.
In a break from tradition, the king appointed a prince to run the energy ministry and the head of the Public Investment Fund to chair oil giant Saudi Aramco.
When Mohammed bin Salman met earlier this week with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two leaders appeared to avoid touchy subjects such as Saudi support for Pakistan.
The Saudi government asked Netflix to remove an episode of the comedian's show Patriot Act that was critical of the regime over the death of Jamal Khashoggi. Netflix said it was following local law.
The administration wants to stick by Riyadh, but the Senate looked for ways to punish Saudi Arabia for the role its crown prince is suspected of playing in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The president says his administration will continue to stand by Saudi Arabia, even though the CIA reportedly believes the crown prince approved the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Mohammed bin Salman was initially seen as a leader who could modernize the kingdom. But critics now say he is being repressive at home and reckless abroad.
