Abstract:
Mohammed bin Salman, the upstart Crown prince currently charged with dragging the Saudi monarchy kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century, is sometimes compared to Xi Jinping, who has similarly utilised a corruption crackdown to great effect as a means of clearing the field of political rivals. In keeping with this analogy, it is useful to reflect upon the wisdom of the great Chinese general Sun Tzu, whose volume ‘The Art of War’ undoubtedly graces the bedside table of President Xi and – who knows? – perhaps also serves as light bedtime reading for our young prince. According to Tzu, ‘in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory’.
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