Johnny Diamond

It's true, isn't it, that Saudi Arabia is a very different place from what it was 10 years ago. I mean, certainly 20 years ago. It's radically different, isn't it?

It's true, isn't it, that Saudi Arabia is a very different place from what it was 10 years ago. I mean, certainly 20 years ago. It's radically different, isn't it?

The reason we're talking today, Jonathan, is because all of a sudden... Riyadh is this enormous diplomatic stage. First, the meeting between the Russians and the Americans, the first meeting in however many years, then the meeting between the Americans and the Ukrainians. And it's no coincidence that it's happened in Riyadh. There's a reason for it. What does it say, do you think?

The reason we're talking today, Jonathan, is because all of a sudden... Riyadh is this enormous diplomatic stage. First, the meeting between the Russians and the Americans, the first meeting in however many years, then the meeting between the Americans and the Ukrainians. And it's no coincidence that it's happened in Riyadh. There's a reason for it. What does it say, do you think?

about the position that Saudi holds in the world and that Mohammed bin Salman has managed to create?

about the position that Saudi holds in the world and that Mohammed bin Salman has managed to create?

Given what you understand about MBS, both his personality, his vision, let's be honest, also his ego, Do you think the positioning of him and his country at a sort of diplomatic center or the attempt to is about ego and position and Saudi Arabia sort of coming of age globally? Or is it about what he can then leverage from that, whether it's business or personal or consolidation of his own power?

Given what you understand about MBS, both his personality, his vision, let's be honest, also his ego, Do you think the positioning of him and his country at a sort of diplomatic center or the attempt to is about ego and position and Saudi Arabia sort of coming of age globally? Or is it about what he can then leverage from that, whether it's business or personal or consolidation of his own power?

Do you admire him?

Do you admire him?

Thank you so much for your time. It's a pleasure, Jonny. And thanks so much to you for listening. We're back at the same time each weekday on the BBC World Service. You can also listen as a podcast. Just search for The Global Story wherever you get your BBC pods. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at theglobalstory at bbc.com.

Thank you so much for your time. It's a pleasure, Jonny. And thanks so much to you for listening. We're back at the same time each weekday on the BBC World Service. You can also listen as a podcast. Just search for The Global Story wherever you get your BBC pods. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at theglobalstory at bbc.com.

Wherever you're listening in the world, we'll catch you next time.

Wherever you're listening in the world, we'll catch you next time.

He inspires passion and loathing in equal measure. He rose to the presidency as an outsider, dominating social media and railing against progressive elites. And when he lost power in the election, he refused to concede. Instead, his supporters stormed the Capitol, falsely claiming the election had been stolen. But he is not Donald Trump. He is Jair Bolsonaro, until 2022, the President of Brazil.

He inspires passion and loathing in equal measure. He rose to the presidency as an outsider, dominating social media and railing against progressive elites. And when he lost power in the election, he refused to concede. Instead, his supporters stormed the Capitol, falsely claiming the election had been stolen. But he is not Donald Trump. He is Jair Bolsonaro, until 2022, the President of Brazil.

The similarities led to the nickname Trump of the Tropics. The relationship between the two men is so strong that Bolsonaro was invited to Trump's inauguration. He said he was so excited that he'd stop taking Viagra. So, with Trump back in office, is Bolsonaro on his way back? His supporters, and he has lots, would love that.

The similarities led to the nickname Trump of the Tropics. The relationship between the two men is so strong that Bolsonaro was invited to Trump's inauguration. He said he was so excited that he'd stop taking Viagra. So, with Trump back in office, is Bolsonaro on his way back? His supporters, and he has lots, would love that.

But he's been barred from running for election by the courts, and now he's been accused of planning a coup. Is this the end for Jair Bolsonaro? With me today is the BBC South America correspondent, Ione Wells. She's in Sao Paulo. Hi, Ione. Hi, Jonny. Jair Bolsonaro is a curiosity because he has a very high name recognition for the president or the former president of a South American nation.

But he's been barred from running for election by the courts, and now he's been accused of planning a coup. Is this the end for Jair Bolsonaro? With me today is the BBC South America correspondent, Ione Wells. She's in Sao Paulo. Hi, Ione. Hi, Jonny. Jair Bolsonaro is a curiosity because he has a very high name recognition for the president or the former president of a South American nation.