ASSESSMENTS

Saudi Arabia Maneuvers Amid Syrian Turmoil

Jul 30, 2012 | 10:29 GMT

Saudi King Abdullah in Riyadh on May 14

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/GettyImages

Summary

Saudi King Abdullah called July 22 for an emergency summit of Muslim leaders to be held in Mecca on Aug. 14-15, during the final days of Ramadan. The meeting is a highly unusual move and its announcement comes on the heels of a strategic shift in Syria.

With the possibility that a Sunni-led regime may emerge from the Syrian transition, Saudi Arabia sees an opportunity to strengthen its leadership role in the region and in the Muslim world. With Iran trying to maintain its influence in Syria and Iraq, Tehran will have limited capacity to counter or respond to Saudi political maneuvering.

Saudi Arabia is taking advantage of Iran's preoccupation with Syria and asserting itself as a regional leader....

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