Episode Details

In 1975, the King of Saudi Arabia was assassinated at point-blank range by his own nephew. In this episode of pplpod, we examine the life of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the leader who transformed a desert kingdom into a global economic superpower.

We trace Faisal's journey from a teenage diplomat representing his father in London in 1919 to his decades-long service as foreign minister,. We dive into the dramatic royal family power struggle that led Faisal to depose his half-brother, King Saud, in 1964, following a period of financial instability and political tension,.

Faisal’s reign was defined by a delicate balance of deep piety and aggressive modernization. We discuss his controversial domestic reforms, including the introduction of television, the expansion of girls' education, and the 1962 decree that abolished slavery,,.

Finally, we analyze Faisal’s explosive impact on the world stage. Motivated by his pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist views, he orchestrated the 1973 oil embargo, quadrupling global oil prices and permanently altering the geopolitical landscape. Join us for the story of the man named Time magazine’s "Man of the Year" in 1974, whose legacy continues to shape the Middle East today.