Kononenko, V.
(2024).
International diplomacy of Saudi Arabia in the Middle East: Strategies for strengthening regional leadership.
Democratic Governance,
17(2),
67-77.
https://doi.org/10.56318/dg/2.2024.67
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is one of the key players in the Middle East and plays a major role in shaping the regional agenda. Its strategic rivalry with Iran poses new challenges to stability in the region, so an analysis of the changes in economic and foreign policy activities carried out by the country’s leadership in the 2020s is relevant to understanding the development of the political situation in the Middle East. The purpose of the study was to analyse the main principles and changes in the KSA’s diplomatic strategies, as well as to study the mechanisms and tools used to ensure stability and strengthen its position in the region. The research was conducted using the methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, and specification of information. The study found that an important factor driving changes in the KSA’s policy is the implementation of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, introduced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This strategy focuses on diversifying the economy, reducing dependence on oil and stimulating growth in sectors such as tourism and renewable energy. The KSA is also actively expanding its foreign policy ties, seeking new partners and reducing its dependence on the United States. Within the six-country Gulf organization, there are internal contradictions that lead to conflicts, including the 2017 diplomatic crisis with Qatar, but the KSA is changing its approach, which helps to resolve such conflicts. The KSA plays an important role in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the United Nations, promoting its interests at the global level. The results obtained allow us to understand the actions of the KSA in the context of regional and global politics, and can be used to develop strategies for interaction with this country
Middle East region, foreign policy strategy, diplomatic crisis in Qatar, Gulf Cooperation Council, Saudi Vision 2030 programme
Received 19.08.2024, Revised 22.10.2024, Accepted 11.12.2024
Retrieved from Volume 17, No. 2, 2024
https://doi.org/10.56318/dg/2.2024.67
Pages 67-77
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