Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Ph.D. Student of International Relations, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Faculty of Law, Theology and Political Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2
Professor of Political Science, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Faculty of Theology, Law and Political Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Most of the investigations into Middle Eastern countries’ regional policy overlook the role of domestic variables, despite their significant impact on the regional policy and even their capacity to shaping regional strategy. In this regard, the main purpose of this qualitative research is to explain how domestic dynamics affected Saudi Arabia’s Middle East policy from 2011 to 2019. The data were collected through documentary research and analyzed using the diversionary theory of foreign policy. This research revealed that legitimacy deficit, power transition, and anxiety arising from the domestic consequences of the Arab Spring were influential in the formation of diversionary motives of Saudi Arabia to enter into regional conflicts or escalate geopolitical rivalries. This study suggests that strengthening ‘good governance’ is a vital component in mitigating regional conflicts and fostering peace; from this perspective, Saudi Arabia’s ‘focus’ on reform strategy, particularly economic development from 2019 onwards, has led to a considerable adjustment to the Saudi geopolitical rivalries, the alteration of its regional strategy to some extent and consequently, a sharp reduction in its diversionary motives to enter into regional conflicts.
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