The relationship between Saudi Arabia and its key allies, including the United States, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Egypt, and Jordan, is multifaceted and shaped by a combination of historical, strategic, political, and economic factors. Here’s an overview of their relationships:

Friends

United States:

  • Historical Ties: The relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States dates back decades, primarily driven by mutual strategic interests, particularly in the realms of security, energy, and geopolitics.
  • Security Cooperation: Saudi Arabia views the United States as a crucial ally in ensuring its security and stability in a volatile region. The U.S. provides military support, including arms sales, intelligence sharing, and cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
  • Economic Interests: Both countries benefit from economic ties, particularly in the energy sector. Saudi Arabia is a major oil exporter, and the United States is a significant importer of Saudi oil.
  • Diplomatic Relations: While the relationship is generally strong, there have been occasional tensions over issues such as human rights, Saudi Arabia’s regional policies, and the U.S.-Saudi response to Iran’s influence in the Middle East.

United Arab Emirates (UAE):

  • Strategic Partnership: Saudi Arabia and the UAE have forged a close strategic partnership based on shared security concerns, similar geopolitical objectives, and economic interests.
  • Military Cooperation: The two countries cooperate closely on military and security matters, including joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and participation in the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
  • Economic Collaboration: Saudi Arabia and the UAE collaborate on economic initiatives, including investment projects, infrastructure development, and efforts to diversify their economies away from oil dependency.
  • Regional Influence: Together, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have sought to counter Iran’s influence in the region and support stability in countries like Yemen, Libya, and Egypt.

Bahrain:

  • Strategic Alignment: Bahrain maintains a close alliance with Saudi Arabia, primarily due to shared security concerns and historical ties. Saudi Arabia has supported Bahrain, particularly during periods of domestic unrest.
  • Security Cooperation: The two countries collaborate on security matters, including military assistance, joint exercises, and efforts to counter perceived threats from Iran and regional militant groups.
  • Economic Support: Saudi Arabia has provided financial assistance to Bahrain, including grants, investments, and aid packages aimed at supporting Bahrain’s economy and infrastructure projects.

Egypt:

  • Historical and Strategic Alignment: Saudi Arabia and Egypt share historical and cultural ties, and both countries perceive similar security threats and geopolitical challenges in the region.
  • Military and Economic Support: Saudi Arabia has provided significant financial aid to Egypt, especially following the ousting of President Mohamed Morsi in 2013. This support has included grants, investments, and oil shipments to help stabilize Egypt’s economy.
  • Security Cooperation: The two countries cooperate closely on security issues, including efforts to combat terrorism, support stability in the region, and counter Iranian influence.
  • Diplomatic Alignment: Saudi Arabia and Egypt often coordinate their diplomatic positions on regional issues, such as the conflict in Yemen, the crisis in Libya, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
  1. Jordan:
  • Strategic Partnership: Saudi Arabia and Jordan maintain a strategic partnership based on shared security concerns, historical ties, and mutual support for stability in the region.
  • Financial Assistance: Saudi Arabia has provided financial aid to Jordan to help alleviate economic challenges and support development projects. This assistance has included grants, investments, and oil shipments.
  • Security Cooperation: The two countries cooperate on security matters, including intelligence sharing, military training, and efforts to combat terrorism.
  • Diplomatic Relations: Saudi Arabia and Jordan often coordinate their diplomatic efforts on regional issues, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Syrian civil war, and efforts to counter Iranian influence in the region.

Overall, the relationships between Saudi Arabia and its key allies are characterized by shared strategic interests, cooperation on security matters, economic collaboration, and diplomatic alignment on regional issues. These alliances play a crucial role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and ensuring the security and stability of the countries involved.

Enemies

The relationship between Saudi Arabia and each of the following entities—Iran, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and certain elements within Qatar—is characterized by a combination of geopolitical rivalry, regional competition, sectarian tensions, and divergent interests. Here’s an overview of each relationship:

Iran:

  • Geopolitical Rivalry: Saudi Arabia and Iran are engaged in a longstanding rivalry for regional dominance and influence. This rivalry is fueled by geopolitical competition, sectarian differences (Sunni vs. Shia), and conflicting visions for the Middle East.
  • Proxy Conflicts: The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran often plays out through proxy conflicts in various countries across the region, including Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen. Both countries support opposing factions and groups to advance their interests and undermine their rival.
  • Religious and Ideological Differences: Saudi Arabia, as a Sunni-majority country, and Iran, as a Shia-majority country, often view each other through a sectarian lens, exacerbating tensions and fueling mistrust.
  • Yemen Conflict: The conflict in Yemen is a focal point of the Saudi-Iranian rivalry. Saudi Arabia leads a coalition supporting the internationally recognized government against Houthi rebels, whom they accuse of being backed by Iran. Iran denies direct military support to the Houthis but has provided them with political and logistical assistance.

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels:

  • Military Conflict: Saudi Arabia is involved in a military campaign in Yemen aimed at restoring the internationally recognized government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who was ousted by Houthi rebels in 2015. The Saudi-led coalition accuses the Houthis of being backed by Iran and views their control of Yemen as a threat to its security.
  • Blockade and Airstrikes: Saudi Arabia has implemented a blockade on Yemen to prevent weapons shipments to the Houthis and has carried out airstrikes targeting Houthi military installations and infrastructure.
  • Humanitarian Crisis: The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with widespread civilian casualties, displacement, and food insecurity. Saudi Arabia has faced international criticism for its role in the crisis, including allegations of indiscriminate airstrikes and violations of human rights.
  • Peace Efforts: Despite ongoing hostilities, there have been intermittent efforts to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict, including UN-led peace talks. However, achieving a sustainable peace agreement has proven challenging due to the complex nature of the conflict and the entrenched positions of the warring parties.

Some Elements within Qatar:

    • Regional Tensions: Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Qatar has been strained in recent years due to a variety of factors, including Qatar’s independent foreign policy, perceived support for Islamist groups, and alignment with Iran on certain regional issues.
    • Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Rift: In 2017, Saudi Arabia, along with the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt, imposed a blockade on Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and cozying up to Iran. This led to a diplomatic crisis within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and strained relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
    • Mediation Efforts: Despite the rift, there have been attempts at reconciliation, with Kuwait and the United States playing mediation roles. However, underlying grievances and geopolitical rivalries have hindered efforts to fully resolve the dispute.
    • Economic Impact: The blockade and diplomatic tensions have had economic repercussions for both Saudi Arabia and Qatar, disrupting trade, investment, and regional cooperation initiatives. However, Qatar has managed to navigate the crisis relatively well due to its wealth and diversified economy.

    Overall, the relationships between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and certain elements within Qatar are complex and marked by competition, conflict, and geopolitical maneuvering. These dynamics have significant implications for regional stability, security, and the broader balance of power in the Middle East.