Hedging strategy in foreign policy: Saudi Arabia's relations with the US, China and Russia after the Cold War

In this study, the hedging strategy, which has been frequently used in the international relations literature in recent years, and the relations of Saudi Arabia with the USA, China and Russia are explained. In the study, the hedging strategy is considered as risk management. The fact that the international system is in the transition period and the regional policies of the USA, China and Russia have brought serious risks and challenges for Saudi Arabia. In this sense, it is claimed in the study that Saudi Arabia follows an asymmetric hedging strategy against the uncertainties arising from the passive engagement of the USA and the active engagement of Russia and China in the new regional equation formed after the end of the Cold War. Accordingly, Saudi Arabia is getting closer to Russia and China against the risks of abandonment and overdependence arising from the alliance with the USA, which it has historically experienced problems with. The regional strengthening of China and Russia, which filled the power vacuum that emerged with the USA giving up its active role in the region, enabled Riyadh to get closer to these actors, albeit limited. Accordingly, Saudi Arabia, which develops cooperation with Russia and China, without breaking relations with the USA, reduces its dependence on the USA by diversifying actors in foreign policy.