Saudia Arabia is under new leadership after the death of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, who died Friday, Jan. 16 of health issues. Abdullah, 90, reigned as king for nearly 10 years, and was acting king in his older brother’s stead for much longer beforehand.

 

A few things he has done:

• Created a scholarship program that sent a large number of young Saudi men and women to study abroad in the West
• Built homes for low-income families
• Cut Saudi princes and princess’ allowances
• Told Obama that encouraging democracy in the Middle East was dangerous, and that American intervention in Iraq was “illegal occupation”
• Forbid street protests
• Created a Facebook page for citizens to post complaints on

 

A few hours after his death, Abdullah’s half-brother, 79-year-old Crown Prince Salman, announced his succession. Salman had already taken on some of Abdullah’s duties prior to his death.

 

The country will face quite a few challenges, but Salman said in a public statement that he will continue following the same policies as Abdullah.

 

Read more about Abdullah and Salman, their policies and what this change means for Saudia Arabia and the U.S. at the New York Times and BBC News.

View USA Today’s photo gallery of Abdullah.