Salman reshuffles in bid to protect MBS and shore up internal position

An unexpected reshuffle of senior officials on 27 December, along with the trial of 11 unnamed individuals for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has sent a clear signal that King Salman Bin Abdelaziz is determined to protect his son Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) from any fallout from the killing, while also trying to rebuild Saudi Arabia’s standing on the world stage.