In a region plagued by turmoil, anxious transformations, and the repercussions of destabilizing projects, Saudi Arabia stands out. It presents a unique model of stability and good governance. Domestically, this is reflected in its investment in citizenship; abroad, we see this in its positive neutrality on the basis of interests, as well as its promotion of stability and peace.
With an ambitious vision and a pragmatic strategy that steers clear of ideological slogans or narrow self-serving positions, Saudi Arabia’s regional and international role is undergoing an unprecedented metamorphosis. It is leveraging new tools in diplomacy, development, investment in people, counter-extremism, and the reinforcement of statehood over militias and the exploitation of chaos or non-state actors.
Today, Saudi Arabia finds itself at the heart of these shifts, having successfully redefined its foreign policies through the philosophy of "positive neutrality," which does not imply isolation from the world. Rather, positive neutrality entails active, constructive, and balanced engagement in international affairs that avoids entanglement in sharp polarization or absolute alliances that disregard evolving interests and changes on the ground.
This approach has allowed Riyadh to enhance its status as an actor that is trusted internationally, as reflected by its effective mediation in the prisoner exchange deal between Russia and Ukraine, hosting complicated international tasks, its efforts to open channels of communication between Washington and Tehran, and, most importantly, its principled and ethical stance on the Palestinian cause.
Saudi Arabia’s approach to the region’s complex issues, and the turbulence around them, is neither fleeting nor merely rhetorical; this approach stems from a major shift in the Kingdom’s political philosophy. Saudi Arabia now recognizes that leadership means crafting solutions rather than aligning itself with conflicts. Fragile and struggling states across the region - from Yemen to Lebanon, and from Syria to Sudan - can find a model they can follow in Saudi Arabia’s approach.
At its core, this model asserts that the only viable path forward is building a strong state of institutions, investing in people, and rejecting the logic of militias and the toxic ideologies that have hindered regional progress for decades, with no signs of a light emerging at the end of this long, dark tunnel.
On the international stage, particularly in the United States and Western nations, Saudi Arabia is increasingly recognized, even by think tanks and research centers, as a model for future stability in a region that presents immense challenges to the West’s strategy. As Washington seeks effective partners to help manage sensitive issues without direct military involvement, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a capable mediator. That is due to its negotiation leverage, its unique intersection of history and geography, its religious influence as the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, its economic influence, and its distinctive model of stability and balanced relations with all parties - from Washington to Beijing, and from Tehran to Moscow.
The shift in Saudi-Iranian relations since the Beijing Agreement of 2023 was a pivotal moment that reshaped security dynamics in the Gulf. It has contributed to a de-escalation of tensions that had peaked in the years preceding the agreement, particularly with the "maximum pressure" policy of US President Donald Trump's first administration. Saudi Arabia does not view Iran as an outright "enemy" today, but as a rival that can be contained through diplomacy, with bilateral engagement within the framework of shared interests rather than shared attrition - provided that Tehran adopts a clear approach to end its investment in proxy groups and replace its revolutionary facade with a functioning state.
Amid ongoing debates within and outside Iran regarding the future of its nuclear program, as well as the concerns over its potential military dimension, Saudi Arabia is actively seeking to prevent a major confrontation in the region that could bring chaos and undermine stability. Regional stability is a fundamental prerequisite for attracting investment, boosting tourism, and building a new, diversified economy. That is why Saudi Arabia is actively engaged in de-escalation efforts and diplomatic mediation.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy shifts reflect a solid and resilient domestic foundation, whereby its new and visionary model is rooted in deep domestic changes. Major social and economic reforms, the empowerment of youths and women, and the reformulation of religious discourse to counter extremism and violence are the key dimensions of this transformation. Its domestic project enhances the Kingdom’s credibility on the global stage, positioning it as more than just a mediator.
Saudi Arabia has been an inspiring model, despite the immense challenges it has faced, at remarkable speed. Today, even the most grounded observers recognize the transformative power of these shifts.
Saudi Arabia has significant leverage through its strategic alliance with the United States, its robust bilateral relations with Russia, China, and the European Union, its influence over global energy markets, its growing prominence in the Arab and Islamic worlds, and its spiritual significance as the heart of the Muslim world. Together, these levers make the Kingdom a key player on the international stage who cannot be ignored.
With its balanced model, Saudi Arabia has become a crucial bridge between East and West, past and future, chaos and stability, militias and statehood. It has presented the world with an alternative framework for conflict resolution, rooted in development rather than war, and shared interests rather than ideology. As global crises proliferate, the Middle East, and indeed the world, needs Saudi Arabia, not just for energy, but as a stabilizing force and an investor in youths, the real driving power of the region’s future.
