Saudi Arabia will continue to pursue a regional strategy of balancing between Iran and its opponents, though protracted regional conflicts risk undermining the kingdom's goals, economic diversification strategy and efforts to normalize ties with Israel. On Nov. 11, during the Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit held in Riyadh, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned Israel's actions in Lebanon and Gaza, demanding a stop of Israeli military operations in both places, while calling on countries of the world to recognize Palestinian statehood. Prince Mohammed's statements came less than two weeks after Saudi Arabia hosted the first meeting of its global alliance to push for Palestinian statehood on Oct. 30, with reportedly 90 countries represented. While this was largely a preliminary meeting with no substantive results, the initiative is designed to advocate for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which would establish an independent Palestinian state. Meanwhile,...
