In 2014 I wrote a book, “The Saudi Kingdom,” that was, frankly, pessimistic about Saudi Arabia’s long-term prospects. After decades under a geriatric leadership class that had done too little for too long, I concluded with a blunt prescription: the Kingdom needed a strong reformist leader—someone willing to restructure the entire system, society, and economy.  In January 2015, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud acceded to the throne and promptly empowered his son, Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS)