Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Reset: Pragmatism or Power Without Accountability?
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Khalid Al Mansoor
- . January 14, 2026
- . Update: January 14, 2026 8:06 pm
Is it redefining the situation in the Middle East or it is repackaging the old interventions in the language of pragmatism? At a time when the region has become more volatile than it ever was, Riyadh is boasting of recalibration of its foreign policy in response to emerging realities. But this strategic reset begs very uncomfortable questions, particularly regarding Yemen, where Saudi behavior is still determined to have political effects with long-term humanitarian implications. Saudi Arabia is establishing itself as a decisive power broker as Iran experiences domestic pressure and is overstretching to its region. But is it worth intervention to fill a vacuum, and is Vision 2030 a defense to unresolved regional damage?
Filling the Power Vacuum—or Redefining Regional Control?
With the destabilizing influence of Iranian posture, Saudi Arabia is offering itself as a counter to the destabilizing factor. Riyadh claims that it is over with ideological warfare and is into economic rationality and de-escalation. However, can that strategy still based on projection of power be considered pragmatic? The increasing involvement of Saudi Arabia into Turkey and the dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran which is mediated by China gets framed as a risk management, rather than reconciliation. However, such selective diplomacy raises one of the central questions: is Saudi Arabia pursuing regional equilibrium, or is it just seeking more freedom to act according to its own desired modes of operation?
Through an amalgamation of the foreign policy and the Vision 2030, Riyadh asserts that its action in the region now helps transform the country at home. But in fragile states, where economic interests determine political results on its territory, does this give way to the perception of reformist pragmatism and strategic dominance?
Yemen: Stabilization or Political Engineering?
This contradiction is more apparent nowhere than in Yemen. Saudi Arabia is introducing its updated strategy towards Yemen as a transition of stabilizing, backing a one government and fighting the fragmentation. However, what is the reason behind this stabilization entailing an inhibition of other political forces like the UAE-supported Southern Transitional Council? And who determines who the authentic Yemeni actors are?
Humanitarian calamity, years of military intervention, and political stagnation have continued to make the issue of Saudi Arabia in Yemen very controversial. Is Riyadh a credible peacekeeper by still imposing political forms on it? Is that really conflict resolution, or an effort to build and consolidate influence at the end of an expensive war?
Global Hedging and the Limits of U.S. Partnership
The recalibration by Saudi Arabia is also the reaction to the frustration towards Washington. Though military relations and weapons sales with the United States persist, Riyadh has ceased to believe in the consistency of U.S. policy. This has brought the Kingdom to the edge with China and Russia not replacing but leveraging. However, there is another very serious question that is entailed by this hedging, is Saudi Arabia becoming more independent which will make the region more stable, or is Saudi Arabia being allowed to make whatever decisions it wishes in conflict areas such as Yemen?
The responsibility mounts the higher Riyadh redefines its partner and establishes a strategic independence. Assuming that Saudi Arabia wants to be perceived as a responsible regional leader, is it able to keep denying its shortcomings in consideration of its actions in Yemen?
