Saudi Arabia's US‐China Hedging Strategy And Its Regional Impact

Abstract Since Mohammed bin Salman's rise to power in 2015, Saudi Arabia's foreign policy has transformed from security‐driven to development‐driven. This study analyzes how pressures from the international system and domestic factors have shaped the kingdom's strategy toward China and the United States, and how this has affected its approach to the Israel‐Iran rivalry and the Gaza war. Traditionally reliant on the US security umbrella, Riyadh has sought to recalibrate, diversifying security partnerships and advancing domestic defense capabilities under its Vision 2030. This zero‐enemy strategy involves engaging simultaneously with Washington and Beijing on developing military technology and localizing defense production, thus maintaining equilibrium between the two superpowers. Such hedging ensures the kingdom's autonomy to carry out regional diplomacy aimed at mitigating regional threats by shifting to dual reconciliations with Iran and Israel, as well as dual condemnations of Israel and Hamas. The article contends that this will help Riyadh mitigate risks and build a favorable environment for implementing Vision 2030.