Saudi Foreign Policy amid Great Power Competition
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35516/Hum.2026.10209Keywords:
Saudi foreign policy, structure of the international system, great power competition, middle powers.Abstract
Objectives: This study examines the impact of great power competition—primarily among the United States, China, and Russia—on Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy, with a focus on its evolving relations with these powers and shifts at the regional level.
Methods: A case study approach was adopted to analyze how Saudi Arabia manages its ties with competing global actors and adapts its regional strategies.
Results: Saudi foreign policy has undergone substantial changes, moving from traditional alignment with the United States toward a more balanced approach. This repositioning has granted the Kingdom greater autonomy in handling regional affairs, as seen in its interventions in Yemen and Bahrain. More recently, its policy has emphasized appeasement, mediation, and bridge-building in international conflicts.
Conclusions: Grounded in middle power theory, the study finds that Saudi Arabia's status allows it to expand influence by collaborating with similar powers. Strategic decisions such as joining BRICS and signing a defense agreement with the U.S. reflect this balanced approach. Regionally, de-escalation—particularly with Iran—emerges as key to mitigating the effects of great power rivalry. The study recommends continuing this balance, forming coalitions with Egypt and Turkey, promoting regional stability in Syria, supporting a two-state solution for Palestine, and investing in defense and technology to reduce dependency.
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