Having historically been the only oil producer with sufficient spare capacity to shape the world economy, Saudi Arabia has held a critical position in 21st century geopolitics. Despite the increasingly robust role Saudi Arabia is playing on the regional scene, the kingdom faces internal and external challenges that keep it from fulfilling its vast potential. In Saudi Arabian Foreign Policy: Conflict and Cooperation, Gulf expert Neil Partrick and other regional analysts address the kingdom’s role in the Middle East and wider Islamic world, and its engagement with established and emergent global powers.

AGSIW was pleased to host a discussion with the book’s editor, Neil Partrick, and a contributor to the book, Mark N. Katz, who focused on Russian relations with Saudi Arabia. They were joined by Fahad Nazer, who discussed the work and took a more in-depth look at Saudi Arabian foreign policy strategies. The panel, moderated by AGSIW Senior Resident Scholar Hussein Ibish, additionally covered topics including the role of Iran in the region and the wars in Syria and Yemen.

Speakers:

Neil Partrick, Independent Writer and Middle East Analyst

Mark N. Katz, Professor of Government and Politics, George Mason University

Fahad Nazer, Non-Resident Fellow, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (Discussant)

Hussein Ibish, Senior Resident Scholar, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (Moderator)