This article analyzes the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy in the Syrian conflict (2011–2024), focusing on the transformation of Saudi strategy from support for the Syrian opposition to a focus on political settlement. The study aims to clarify the role of key domestic factors, particularly identity dynamics, ideology, and leadership transitions, as well as the influence of external determinants, such as the changing regional balance of power and competition with Iran, on the formation of Saudi foreign policy priorities. Applying an integrative theoretical approach that combines neorealist analysis of the regional balance of power and a constructivist lens to understand the role of identity and domestic transformations, the authors trace the paradigm shift in Saudi Arabian policy. The study found that the initial ideological focus on supporting the opposition has given way to a more pragmatic approach, driven by the need to adapt to the changing geopolitical landscape and a rethinking of national interests in the context of growing Iranian influence and the internal transformations associated with the rise of Mohammed bin Salman. The study demonstrates how Saudi Arabia’s shift in strategic direction in Syria reflects a desire for greater flexibility and pragmatism in the face of the evolving realities of the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia, foreign policy, regional balance of power, Syrian conflict, identity