ASSESSMENTS

A Middle East of Saudi Arabia's Making

Dec 1, 2017 | 09:00 GMT

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman poses for a picture at a meeting of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition in Riyadh.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman poses for a picture at a meeting of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition in Riyadh. Lately Saudi Arabia's tendency to prop up its partners has taken on the new dimension of marshaling alliances.

(FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images)

Highlights

  • Saudi Arabia's new crown prince will champion a fresh attempt to challenge Iran's influence and reassert his kingdom's leadership over the region.
  • Though tied to Riyadh's long-standing need to shape the Middle East in its favor, the effort will be more overt than any that came before it.
  • Saudi Arabia will have difficulty competing with Iran, militarily and politically, in places where both countries have strategic interests.

Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince is seeking to rewrite the rules of society within his kingdom. But one thing is sure to remain unchanged: the country's intent to challenge Iran for influence across the region. Driven by the fear of losing ground to Tehran and by rhetorical support from Washington, Riyadh will keep trying to carve out a greater presence in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Despite the Gulf giant's formidable power, however, its political and military options on these battlefields are far more limited than Iran's -- a harsh reality that will continue to prevent Saudi Arabia from achieving its age-old ambition of Middle Eastern dominance....

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