Following King Abdullah's death in 2015, Prince Salman ascended to the Saudi throne as King Salman. He undertook government reorganization, abolishing several bureaucratic departments.^[69] King Salman's involvement in the Second Yemeni Civil War marked a significant foreign policy action. In 2017, he appointed his son, Mohammed bin Salman(MBS), as crown prince, who has since been the de facto ruler. MBS's notable actions included detaining 200 princes and businessmen at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh in an anti-corruption campaign.^[70]

MBS spearheaded Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the Saudi economy beyond oil dependence.^[71] He implemented reforms reducing the powers of the Saudi religious police and advancing women's rights, including the rights to drive in 2017,^[72] open businesses without male guardian permission in 2018, and retain child custody post-divorce. However, MBS has faced international criticism for his involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and broader human rights concerns under his rule.