Saudi Arabia Power Struggle In The Middle East And Its Dependency On United States: Causes And Consequences

Abstract

Saudi Arabia is a Sunni majority country in the Middle East region. Since, revolution of 1979 in Iran, the Kingdom is poised to become a regional power. The Middle East region is instable following internal conflicts colored with religious and ethnic division. Saudi Arabia and Iran are the main players in the region striving for regional supremacy. This study is intended to analyze Saudi Arabia power struggle in the Middle East region following its dependency on the United States. Multiple factors led to Saudi’s strive for regional supremacy.Firstly, Iran is a non-Arab state believing on Shia faith of Islam. After revolution, Iran is active to promote and protect Shia faith in the region particularly in Arab populated areas. Saudi Arabia sees the growing influence of Iran in the region as an existential threat.

Secondly, the Kingdom fears that if Iran has not contended timely in Arab States, it will lose its grasp on the Arab world. The Kingdom also fears and alleged Iran to instigate Saudi Shia minority group against the Kingdom. Following the fear of any rebel from Saudi Shias, the Kingdom has strictly depressed minority groups. Thirdly, the rise of non-State actors and their activities in the region have threatened Saudi’s internal security. This study is intended to analyze the Saudi power struggle in the Middle East under the umbrella of the United States. The study's central theme is Saudi Arabia's dependency on the United States in perspectives of its weak security position in the Middle East. Moreover, the study has also pointed out the factors that have made Saudi Arabia dependent on the United States instead of the bilateral relationship and mutual peace initiatives in the region.