Saudi Arabia’s Current Foreign Policy Priorities: Regional and Global Contexts

Lesia Dorosh; Anastasiia Tereshkevych

doi:10.31861/mhpi2025.51.76-83

Authors

Lesia Dorosh Lviv Polytechnic National University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8558-8525
Anastasiia Tereshkevych Національний університет «Львівська політехніка» https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3228-8431

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31861/mhpi2025.51.76-83

Keywords:

Saudi Arabia, Middle East, energy policy, Vision 2030, soft power

Abstract

It is examined Saudi Arabia’s current foreign policy priorities in the context of regional and global transformations, taking into account key aspects of the state’s economic and diplomatic strategy. The transformation of the Kingdom’s role in the international arena, regional leadership, and strategic initiatives has been analyzed. It is emphasized that Saudi Arabia has significant economic and resource potential: it possesses huge oil reserves, controls strategic trade routes and has an influential political position in the international arena. The Kingdom invests funds from energy resources export in ambitious reforms aimed at modernizing society and the economy. The geopolitical position of Saudi Arabia in the Middle East region and the dynamics of the Kingdom’s relations with leading international actors are examined, in particular, the normalization of relations with Iran and cooperation with Israel. Particular attention is paid to the dynamics of the Kingdom’s relations with China, Russia, the European Union, and the United States. Key aspects of Saudi Arabia’s energy policy within OPEC+ are examined, as well as its desire to diversify the economy and increase non-oil revenues. Particular attention is paid to the Vision 2030 program, which defines the Kingdom’s strategic course for multilateral development, cultural reforms, attracting foreign investment, and reducing dependence on energy exports. The country’s use of soft power and public diplomacy tools to shape a new image in the international arena is examined. The challenges and opportunities facing Saudi Arabia in the context of the formation of a new architecture of international relations are highlighted. It is argued that despite these challenges, including dependence on oil exports and domestic opposition to reforms, Saudi Arabia demonstrates a readiness for the transformation and liberalization of the country, necessary to consolidate its image as an important geopolitical actor.

Author Biographies

Lesia Dorosh, Lviv Polytechnic National University

PhD in Political Science, Professor, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations of Institute of Humanities and Social Science

Anastasiia Tereshkevych, Національний університет «Львівська політехніка»

1st year Master student of the educational program “International Relations”, Department of Political Science and International Relations of the Institute of Humanities and Social Science

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