8 March 2026
Saudi Arabia Is Done Planning. Now It Has to Deliver.
On February 12, 2026, King Salman issued a series of royal orders replacing ministers, governors, judicial officials, and senior advisers in a single afternoon. Investment ministry, interior ministry, communications, media, justice, the public prosecutor's office, the Board of Grievances — all reshuffled on the same day. Most international coverage focused on one appointment: Khalid Al-Falih out as Minister of Investment after six years, replaced by Fahad Al-Saif, formerly head of investment strategy at the Public Investment Fund. That one change is worth unpacking carefully. But two others in the same decree deserve attention and rarely get it.