Saudi Relations with Its Main Contiguous Neighbors

Saudi Arabian relations with the outside world are predicated on set of basic principles or factors. They include Islamic values, Arab heritage, geographic continuity, reciprocal respect, and national interest. Therefore any assessment of Saudi Arabian relations must be looked at from this perspective. In our discussion of Saudi Arabian relations with its main neighbors Yemen, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan, I have shown how influential those factors are in shaping and directing Saudi Arabian policy with those countries in particular and the world in general. This paper will not discuss Saudi relations with other Gulf Co-operation Council GCC members since Saudi Arabia is an integral part of GCC and any problems between it and other GCC members do not rise to the level of threat and are solved diplomatically and in a brotherly manner. Saudi Arabian policy makers hope that the outcome of these bilateral relations will be regional security and political stability, respect of national sovereignty, recognized boundaries, normal relations in all fields, and non-interference in internal affairs with each other. In sum the ultimate objective of Saudi Arabia is the preservation of its national security, but diplomacy must be accompanied by the will and real determination to advance and defend this interest. This primarily can be achieved through self-reliance and trustworthy friends and allies.