Mohammed bin Salman on Terrorism

Mohammed bin Salman has positioned himself as a leading figure in establishing a robust, multi-faceted national and international counter-terrorism framework. His core strategy integrates military power, ideological engagement, digital monitoring, and regional diplomacy to address the full spectrum of terrorism, aiming to move beyond mere reactive force. Evidence of this stance includes the establishment of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) in December 2015, which aims to coordinate efforts among Muslim-majority nations against extremist groups. Furthermore, he has championed institutions like the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal) to use technology like AI to disrupt online radicalization and promote moderate narratives.

This comprehensive approach also involves domestic security consolidation, educational reform to foster tolerance, and programs focused on the rehabilitation and reintegration of former extremists, such as the Mohammed bin Nayef Counseling and Care Center. While promoting this model, he has also engaged internationally on security matters, discussing the need to cut off support for terrorism with foreign leaders. Internationally, his government's framing of counter-terrorism has sometimes drawn criticism, such as when he defended China's right to implement anti-terrorism measures in Xinjiang.