But the decision is also reflective of a change of strategy which will see a less confrontational foreign policy, Radha Stirling, Middle Eastern Criminal and Civil Justice Expert, Expert Witness and founder of Detained in Dubai has said, suggesting Mr Salman may also be influenced by the decision of US President Donald Trump to pull troops out of Syria and a desire to forge closer links with Russia. Saudi Arabia has announced a cabinet reshuffle with Mr Jubeir moved from his current position and replaced by Ibrahim Al Assaf. Mr Khashoggi died was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 3, with widespread claims that his death was ordered by Mr Salman.
Acknowledging what she described as the “damage control” aspect of the decision, Ms Stirling said: “There is no doubt that the Khashoggi killing, as well as a few other controversies have tarnished the image of MBS and Saudi Arabia recently.
“There has been greater scrutiny of Saudi’s war in Yemen, for instance, and Al Jubeir took a controversial stance towards Canada over their criticism of Saudi human rights.
“It is certainly a move by MBS to consolidate his position and his future by deflecting criticism through Jubeir’s demotion.
“A successful shifting of blame for the Khashoggi murder, and the other controversies, along with the removal of the proverbial scapegoat, could help inoculate MBS from the continuing fallout connected to these scandals.”
However, she stressed there were other factors at play as well, explaining: “Jubeir has been keen to support a strong US presence in the Middle East and to highlight the regional threat of Iran.
“This stance has helped to bring Saudi Arabia and Israel closer together in a kind of strategic alliance; and it has served as the rationale for the Kingdom’s vicious military campaign in Yemen.
“However, US President Donald Trump has announced that the US will withdraw from Syria, and has signalled that the US will decrease its level of intervention in the region on all fronts; even indicating that he believes Israel is not facing any threats it can’t handle.”
Mr Trump’s change of tack would require a “different style of foreign policy” from Saudi Arabia, Ms Stirling said, one which was “possibly less confrontational”.
She suggested in contrast to Mr Jubeir, Mr Al Assaf, a former Saudi Finance Minister, would adopt a “more low key and pragmatic” approach “reflecting the changes in the strategic landscape in the wake of a diminished American presence”.
She said: “Russia has expressed concerns that the United States might try to interfere with the decision to remove Jubeir, because his demotion may open a door for the development of a more collaborative relationship between Riyadh and Moscow, particularly with regard to reconstruction in Syria.
“But, aside from Trump’s announced withdrawal of US troops, there have been indications that the Americans are not comfortable with Saudi Arabia’s recent assertiveness in the region.
“Reportedly, the US intervened to prevent a Saudi invasion of Qatar, and serious concerns have been raised about the brutality of the Saudi-led war in Yemen.
“The US had been viewing Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy as an increasingly destabilising force in the region even before the Khashoggi killing.”
As a result, a more moderate foreign policy was unlikely to upset America unduly, even if it resulted in closer ties with Moscow.
The decision might also go some way towards “normalising” relations with Syria, as well as reducing tensions with Iran, a major ally of President Bashar al-Assad, she explained.
Ms Stirling said: “It remains to be seen how this potential policy shift will impact Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Israel, particularly given the recent airstrikes by the IDF against targets in Damascus.
“But overall, the removal of Adel Al Jubeir seems to be a welcome return to form for Saudi foreign policy and will hopefully see their provocative role in regional volatility subside.”