Another Round in the Saudi-Iranian Confrontation

Another Round in the Saudi-Iranian Confrontation

What Does It Mean, and What Lies Ahead?

by Amos Yadlin, Director of INSS

International attention has recently been diverted from the civil war in Syria and the global struggle against the Islamic State by the escalation in the confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The recent actions by Saudi Arabia in the international arena – including an energy policy that is in sync with the drop in oil prices, the war in Yemen, declaration of the establishment of a coalition of Muslim countries to fight the Islamic State, hints of measures in the nuclear realm, and the attempt to create a Sunni Arab coalition in the present confrontation with Iran – are indicative of an assertive foreign policy in all areas, against anyone perceived as threatening Saudi interests and national security. Saudi Arabia has become an active player, departing from the cautious and passive policy that characterized it until the outbreak of the Arab Spring. As for Israel, the confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia highlights its overlapping interests with Riyadh, primarily, their shared regard of Iran as a bitter enemy. In this context, Israel can assist Saudi Arabia in its struggle against the radical Shiite axis, Iran’s nuclear aspirations, and Iran’s desire to achieve hegemony in the Middle East.

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