Saudi Arabia's Deepening Engagement With Asia‐Pacific Nations
Published online on September 08, 2025
Abstract
["Middle East Policy, EarlyView. ", "\nAbstract\nSince coming to power in 2015, the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has increased Saudi Arabia's economic, energy, investment, and diplomatic engagement with the Asia‐Pacific region, and it has become a major player in the region. This article demonstrates the extent of this activity and explains the motivations behind it. The analysis identifies key drivers of Riyadh's ambitious policies, which include changes in petrodollar arrangements due to waning US interest in Saudi security and oil, economic diversification under Vision 2030, and diplomatic experience from the G20, as well as the receptiveness of Asia‐Pacific countries to Saudi overtures and shifts in the global power structure. Reforms within the kingdom have facilitated this engagement, which is not limited by the size, distance, or religious and political orientation of other countries. This engagement is parallel to Saudi Arabia's longstanding relationship with the United States, which is likely to strengthen during the second term of President Donald Trump. The findings of this article also provide insights into the Saudi diplomatic approach to regions outside the Asia‐Pacific.\n"]