Today, Saudi Arabia seeks to position itself as a geopolitical actor with a deep interest in regional matters. Taking advantage of its oil wealth and its strategic alliance with the United States of America (USA), Saudi Arabia is taking important steps to become a diversified economic center, a diplomatic mediator, and assume a central position in multipolar politics. In this context, Riyadh pursues a bold foreign policy while enacting major internal reforms in line with its 2030 vision. It can be concluded that Saudi Arabia’s rise as an important player is based on a few basic goals: energy dominance, economic diversification, and strategic autonomy amid ever-changing global systems and challenges. It seems that Saudi Arabia actively plans to create a new power position in regional politics. To achieve this, it follows a diversified, principled, and strategically autonomous policy.
Energy Dominance and Economic Diversification as Foundational Blocks for Saudi Arabia’s Developing Geopolitical Strategy
It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia remains the world’s largest oil exporter and holds a very special place in the global system. Through the state-owned company Saudi Aramco, it controls a vast portion of the oil production infrastructure. This situation provides Riyadh with a significant leverage during global supply shortages. Its leadership in OPEC enables it to exert greater influence over global energy prices. Saudi Arabia’s rejection of conforming to the West during the Russian-Ukrainian war showed a new and bold eagerness to prioritize national interests over alliance pressures. Economic modernization expands partnerships beyond energy transactions and strengthens its geopolitical position.
Vision 20230 is not just an economic reform plan, but also a geopolitical tool. Saudi Arabia aims to strengthen its defenses against strategic vulnerabilities and enhance its sovereign autonomy by reducing its reliance on oil revenues. Beyond the oil industry, Saudi Arabia strengthens its position rather than being an oil state by investing in sustainable energy.
Today, Saudi Arabia is making a rapid transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. Within the scope of Vision 20230, the Kingdom decided on a bold plan to generate half of its electricity from sustainable sources. The strategy notes solar, wind, hydrogen, and other clean technologies as the foundational blocks of energy for the future.[1]
Saudi Arabia’s Transition from Dependency to Strategic Autonomy in a Multipolar System
Saudi Arabia follows a foreign policy that aims to transition from dependency to diversification. While the USA remains an important security partner, the Riyadh administration has expanded its relations with regional powers such as China, Russia, and India. In this context, China is now a close trade partner of Saudi Arabia. The 2023 Saudi-Iran approach mediated in Beijing underscores Riyadh’s desire to benefit from Chinese diplomacy to reduce regional tensions. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia deepened its coordination with Russia through OPEC+ despite Western sanctions. Its interaction with international organizations such as the G20 and its interest in the BRICS membership reflect its desire to interact on the global stage.
Saudi Arabia’s geographic location, which connects it to Asia, Africa, and Europe, enhances the country’s strategic importance in international naval trade and energy transportation.
For this reason, control over the Red Sea corridors (especially the Bab al-Mandeb Strait) and proximity to critical naval routes are of great strategic importance. The advance of the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in Yemen restored Riyadh’s influence. A new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shaya Al-Zindani was not unexpected. The decree establishing the government cited the Yemeni constitution, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the 2022 declaration of the overthrow, and related laws governing the cabinet as legal foundations.[2] It is evident that Riyadh attempts to steer the internal and foreign policy of the internationally recognized Yemeni Government for its own interests.
Through a regional geopolitical perspective, new difficulties may arise from Saudi Arabia’s return to Yemeni politics and the withdrawal of UAE forces. These developments manifest at the regional level in the form of proxy wars, because some areas of Yemen (including Sana’a) remain under the control of Iran-backed Houthi forces. In practice, the restoration of relations with Iran is not expected to significantly reduce the instability in the Middle East that is based on proxy wars. In this context, the Saudi Arabia–Pakistan mutual defense agreement can be seen as a forward-looking geopolitical choice in response to regional rivalries. Additionally, Riyadh is already exploring comprehensive cooperation with Turkey that could help reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics.
It is clear that the political vacuum in Yemeni politics cannot be filled by Saudi Arabia alone. Historically and geopolitically, Yemen remains a key priority for Russia. While there are ongoing relations between Moscow and the Houthis on one hand, any escalation, mainly if it occurs near strategic energy routes, serves to divert global attention away from the war in Ukraine.
Another tense area where Riyadh faces challenges is neighboring Iraq. Internal political changes and emerging developments in Iraq are closely linked to regional dynamics. The nomination of Nouri al-Maliki for the Iraqi prime ministership is a source of tension; during his previous term, Iran exerted strong influence, leading al-Maliki to position himself as an ally of Tehran. Therefore, direct Iranian intervention appears foreseeable. This situation could easily strain relations with neighboring states.
As Syria’s new administration moves forward with rebuilding the country after fourteen years of devastating civil war, a comprehensive investment agreement has been signed with Saudi Arabia, covering sectors such as aviation, energy, real estate, and telecommunications. [3] For this reason, in line with its own security paradigm, it would be in Riyadh’s interest to participate in the process of strengthening Syria. A stable and strong Syrian state would act as a counterbalancing force against a potentially Iran-aligned government in Baghdad.
However, to establish such centers of power, Saudi Arabia particularly needs Turkey’s cooperation. Considering Turkey’s permanent military and economic presence in the Middle East and Africa, it is emerging as an inevitable key geopolitical actor. Turkey’s military presence in regions surrounding Saudi Arabia (including the Gulf of Aden, Somali territorial waters, and the Arabian Sea) constitutes an essential factor pushing Riyadh to build strategic relations with Ankara.
The path followed by Saudi Arabia reflects a broader transformation in global politics: the rising influence of financially strong middle powers capable of shaping regional and international agendas. Through energy power, economic reform, diplomatic diversification, and regional restructuring, Riyadh is actively building a new position of power. Whether this strategy will succeed will depend on its capacity to balance power competition, manage regional proxy wars, and ensure the sustainability of its internal transformation.
[1] “Saudi Renewable Energy Transition and Vision 2030”, Eurogroup Consulting, https://saudienergyconsulting.com/insights/articles/saudi-arabia-roadmap-for-renewable-energy-transition-by-2030, (Access Date: 08.02.2026).
[2] “Yemen’s presidential council approves new government lineup”, Saudi Gazette, https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/658733/world/yemen-forms-new-government-under-prime-minister-shaya-al-zandani, (Access Date: 08.02.2026).
[3] “Syria and Saudi Arabia sign multibillion-dollar investment deals”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/7/syria-and-saudi-arabia-ink-multi-billion-dollar-investment-deals, (Access Date: 08.02.2026).
