Berlin Global Advisors Managing Partner Martin Wiesmann examines in his guest contribution to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung how Saudi Arabia is pursuing economic transformation, seeking regional stability, and attempting to reduce its strategic dependence on the United States.

Through Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aims to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy, modernise its society, and establish the Kingdom as a regional power. The transformation has delivered initial results, with non-oil economic activities accounting for a growing share of the economy. However, foreign technology investment continues to fall short of expectations, while oil and gas exports remain central to the Kingdom’s economic model.

In foreign policy, Riyadh is seeking to diversify its strategic partnerships. Alongside its longstanding relationship with Washington, Saudi Arabia is strengthening ties with China and Pakistan. Yet the war with Iran, growing tensions with the United Arab Emirates, and continued reliance on American security guarantees expose the limits of Saudi strategic autonomy.

Saudi Arabia thus raises a central question in our series: Can economic modernisation underpin regional leadership and strategic autonomy while the Kingdom’s security remains fundamentally dependent on the United States?

Read the full FAZ guest article by Martin Wiesmann here: FAZ – Saudi Arabia’s Pursuit of Regional Hegemony

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