high stakes

binSalman brooks no rein on what he'd do
his father's only king in name alone.
He's moribund, and seems to have no clue
of what's been going on behind his throne.
Khashoggi dared to criticize the state;
he printed what no Saudi's free to say.
The prince's thugs minced him like fishing bait;
Ankara's sewers flushed the bits away.
Such drama's damaging the royal brand;
investors shun the grisly atmosphere.
There're cousins far more fit for the command,
who know there's more to governing than fear.
When Salman dies, it all comes to a head
and MbS must then be king--or dead.