Saudi Arabia's rise as a global mediator and regional stabilizer

Al Arabiya

a day ago

Saudi Arabia has emerged not only as a powerful promoter of peace and diplomacy in the Middle East, but also as a rising global mediator whose influence extends far beyond its borders. Under the transformative leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the Kingdom has taken on an increasingly active and strategic role in mediating conflicts, rebuilding war-torn countries, and promoting regional and international stability. Saudi Arabia's foreign policy approach emphasizes dialogue, reconstruction, and pragmatic engagement with actors across geopolitical divides. Now, more than ever, Saudi Arabia is asserting itself as a global diplomatic force engaged in shaping the future of peace, from the Middle East to Eastern Europe and beyond.
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Perhaps the most striking example of Saudi Arabia's diplomatic evolution is its recent leadership in helping Syria return to the international stage and begin the arduous process of reconstruction. After more than a decade of devastating civil war, international isolation, and economic collapse, Syria's reentry into Arab and global politics was neither automatic nor inevitable. It was, in large part, made possible through deliberate and sustained efforts by Saudi Arabia.
In January 2025, Riyadh hosted the Riyadh Meetings on Syria, a series of multilateral discussions aimed at reimagining Syria's future. The summit included representatives from across the Arab world, the European Union, and the United States, alongside members of Syria's new transitional leadership. These meetings laid the groundwork for a new Syrian political reality. Saudi Arabia's commitment did not end with diplomatic courtesies. In April 2025, the Kingdom announced that it would pay off Syria's $15 million debt to the World Bank, thereby unlocking access to international reconstruction funds and giving Syria a critical financial lifeline. The move sent a strong message to the global community that Saudi Arabia was not only facilitating political dialogue, but also taking concrete economic steps to stabilize the country.
The momentum culminated in a historic announcement in May 2025, when US President Donald Trump, during a visit to Riyadh, declared that all US sanctions on Syria would be lifted. Saudi Arabia ought to be credited for building the diplomatic bridge that made the policy shift possible. The meeting between Trump and interim President al-Sharaa in Riyadh was also emblematic of how Saudi Arabia is now viewed as a central, trusted platform for high-level international diplomacy.
The significance of a stable Syria extends well beyond the country's borders. For more than a decade, Syria has been the epicenter of instability that spilled into Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, and even Europe. The war fueled extremism, displaced millions of people, and fragmented the region's political landscape. The reconstruction and reintegration of Syria, if managed wisely, can reverse many of these consequences.
A stable Syria opens the door for the safe return of refugees from Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, and Europe – reducing social and economic pressures in those countries. Trade routes through the Levant could be reestablished, helping to boost regional economies and foster cross-border cooperation. It also undermines the influence of militias and extremist groups who thrived in the vacuum created by Syria's collapse. By restoring a degree of normalcy to Syria, Saudi Arabia is laying the foundation for broader regional security and interdependence.
Saudi Arabia's mediation efforts are not limited to the Levant. The Kingdom has played an increasingly visible and active role in Africa, Eastern Europe, and global humanitarian diplomacy. For example, Saudi Arabia co-brokered the Jeddah Declaration alongside the United States in an effort to halt the brutal civil conflict in Sudan. The declaration, signed by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, committed the warring parties to safeguard civilians and allow humanitarian access. While the conflict in Sudan remains complex and volatile, the Jeddah talks established Saudi Arabia as a serious and trusted broker for African peace initiatives. The Kingdom also mobilized substantial humanitarian aid, supplying food, water, and medical assistance to thousands of displaced Sudanese civilians.
In Europe, Saudi Arabia has played a surprisingly influential role in mediating between Russia and Ukraine. Saudi efforts led to the release of ten foreign prisoners of war held by Russian forces, including American, British, and Moroccan nationals. This unexpected intervention highlighted Saudi Arabia's ability to serve as a neutral, effective intermediary even in conflicts outside its immediate region.
That engagement has continued. In March 2025, Saudi Arabia hosted high-level discussions in Jeddah between US, Ukrainian, and European officials aimed at exploring avenues for ceasefires, prisoner swaps, and humanitarian corridors. The talks, attended by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, signaled the Kingdom's enduring relevance as a venue for sensitive and strategic negotiations.
At the heart of this diplomatic awakening is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 – an ambitious initiative to diversify the Saudi economy, modernize its society, and reshape its global image. While economic transformation – through investment in tourism, technology, and clean energy – has been the centerpiece of Vision 2030, foreign policy and diplomacy have become critical pillars of the plan.
MBS recognizes that economic stability is closely tied to regional peace. A Middle East plagued by war, terrorism, and political fragmentation is incompatible with the global investments and partnerships Saudi Arabia seeks. Thus, the Kingdom's diplomatic surge is not a philanthropic endeavor, but also a strategic choice: to become a force for peace.
Saudi diplomacy is also increasingly humanitarian in nature. From mediating prisoner exchanges to financing reconstruction, the Kingdom is positioning itself as a responsible global actor. These efforts burnish Saudi Arabia's international reputation and attract global partners who seek stability and cooperation in an otherwise turbulent region.
A model for others and a blueprint for the region
Saudi Arabia's new diplomatic identity offers a model for other nations in the region. Some countries in the region which have traditionally played regional roles, are now looking to Riyadh for cues on how to expand their influence diplomatically. By demonstrating that economic reform and peace mediation can go hand in hand, Saudi Arabia is encouraging its neighbors to invest in similar strategies.
If more nations in the Middle East adopt this approach – prioritizing peace, mediation, and regional cooperation – the entire region stands to benefit. Reduced conflict means increased trade, shared infrastructure, and more resilient economies. This could also reduce the likelihood of foreign military interventions, allowing the region to solve its own problems on its own terms.
In conclusion, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a proactive global player in peacebuilding and diplomacy. Its recent efforts in Syria, Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza, and elsewhere mark a new era in Saudi foreign policy – one that embraces negotiation over confrontation and investment over isolation. Through the vision and leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and guided by the strategic goals of Vision 2030, the Kingdom is taking bold steps to resolve conflicts, stabilize regions, and mediate peace in some of the world's most entrenched crises. The Kingdom has indeed become a global diplomatic powerhouse and peace mediator, setting an example for the Middle East and offering hope for a more stable, prosperous, and cooperative world.