Geopolitics Quarterly

Geopolitics Quarterly

The Reality and Challenges of Saudi Arabia’s Quest for Regional Hegemony in the Middle East

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
A K M Iftekharul Islam 1
Md. Thowhidul Islam 2
Dr. Md. Nurul Amin 3
Arshad Islam 4
1 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic History and Culture, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, PhD Researcher, Politics and International Studies, University of Hull.
2 Associate Professor of Bangladesh Studies, Center for General Education (CGED) International Islamic University Chittagong, Kumira, Bangladesh.
3 Department of Islamic History and Culture, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
4 Department of Islamic History and Culture, International Islamic University Malaysia.
10.22034/igq.2025.405033.1782
Abstract
This study aims to investigate Saudi Arabia’s quest for regional hegemony, including its objectives, initiatives, and difficulties. In other words, the degree to which Saudi Arabia has been successful in establishing itself as the region’s dominant power. It is crucial to thoroughly explain Saudi Arabia’s psychological and practical justifications for pursuing regional hegemony in this context. To examine the political discourses, reality, narratives, ambitions, and perspectives of Saudi Arabia and compare these with other regional powers in this area, as well as to highlight a number of context-specific constraints on Saudi Arabia’s aspirations for regional hegemony, is the goal of the research. In addition, it intends to investigate how external powers such as the United States, China, Russia, the European Union, and Turkey influence Middle Eastern regional dynamics based on their own vested interests. This analysis demonstrates that Saudi Arabia’s drive for regional hegemony is mostly restrained by external causes. First, despite its preeminent economic power, the country lacks strong military capabilities to provide a security shield for its friends in this region. Second, the sectarian politics and undiversified economy of the region make it unlikely that secondary nations will receive full public goods. Third, low economic integration, the perception of a common regional threat, the absence of a broad free trade arrangement, the superiority of hard power over soft power, and a lack of mutual trust among regional countries are significantly diminishing the acceptance of Saudi Arabia’s hegemonic role in the region. However, Saudi Arabia is deliberately involving regional partners and coalitions in regional growth. The country takes on the main task for reshaping the Middle East’s economy and elevating this region to success. If Saudi Arabia is successful in fostering regional integration, offering a security shield, encouraging trust building, and collaborating with other states in this region to address shared regional threats, it will have a greater chance than the majority of other states in the region to become the regional hegemon. 
Keywords
Hegemony
Regional Hegemony
Iran
Free Trade
Terrorism
Hydrocarbon
Russia-Ukraine War
Arab-China Summit
Mohammad bin Salman (MBS)

Subjects

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Geopolitics Quarterly
Volume 21, Issue 2
Summer 2025
Pages 280-311

  • Receive Date 17 July 2023
  • Revise Date 06 April 2025
  • Accept Date 10 April 2025