Change and Transformation: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Policy After the Arab Spring

This article explores the fundamental dynamics of change and transformation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy following the Arab Spring. It argues that this transformation is driven by three interrelated dimensions. The first dimension is ideological transformation, marked by a re-examination of Saudi identity and the incorporation of historical narratives that resonate with national identity, significantly influencing the Saudi elite’s active role in foreign policy and promoting regional cooperation. The second dimension involves the adoption of new management techniques and systems that enhance decision-making processes in foreign policy. The third factor focuses on Saudi Arabia’s efforts to expand and deepen its alliance system in response to regional and global dynamics. Collectively, these factors facilitate the Kingdom’s technological, economic, and social policies aimed at realizing its “Vision 2030.” Consequently, it can be asserted that foreign policy and the broader transformation process are intricately intertwined in Saudi Arabia.