The new face of the old kingdom: Saudi Arabia's foreign policy change

This thesis examines Saudi Arabia's foreign policy transformation through the lens of strategic hedging, focusing on the Kingdom's response to the United States' partial withdrawal. Anchored in neorealism, the analysis contends that Saudi Arabia's foreign policy shift reflects broader structural changes in the international system, as the Kingdom seeks to balance its longstanding ties with the U.S. while engaging rising powers such as China. Though not a global power, Saudi Arabia is conceptualized as a secondary state—regionally influential yet systemically constrained—making it a typical case for hedging behavior in times of global uncertainty. Vision 2030, introduced in 2016, plays a central role in this shift by promoting economic diversification, reducing oil dependency, and enhancing geopolitical autonomy. Using a qualitative methodology, the thesis employs textual analysis of official statements, policy documents, and scholarly sources to explore the intersection between internal reform and external realignment. A key focus is Saudi Arabia's growing partnership with China, especially through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Digital Silk Road (DSR), which align with Vision 2030's objectives in infrastructure, technology, and renewable energy. These initiatives illustrate how Chinese cooperation enhances Saudi Arabia's economic capacity while reducing reliance on U.S. support. The thesis also investigates Saudi Arabia's rapprochement with Iran, closer ties with Russia, and increased involvement in BRICS as calculated hedging strategies. These developments are interpreted not as ad hoc reactions, but as part of a coherent effort to reposition the Kingdom within an emerging multipolar world order. The findings demonstrate that Saudi Arabia's hedging behavior is both adaptive and strategic, aimed at consolidating regional influence and ensuring long-term resilience. This research contributes to the literature on strategic hedging and secondary state behavior by analyzing how states navigate hegemonic decline and multipolarity.