LONDON: America, Syria, Ukraine, Gaza, China, Lebanon, Sudan — 2025 was the year that Saudi Arabian diplomacy, already a potent regional force, came of age on the world stage.
“This year’s big story when it comes to Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic stand is the transition from bringing its status as a regional power broker to the multilateral scale,” said Kelly Petillo, program manager for the Middle East and North Africa at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
She pointed to two diplomatic initiatives in particular, “whose reach and impact span way beyond the region and mark Saudi Arabia’s entry in the list of multilateral power brokers.”
At the UN General Assembly in September, the vast majority of delegates voted in favor of a resolution tabled jointly by France and Saudi Arabia.
US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman pose for a picture at the White House in Washington, DC, US, November 18, 2025. (Reuters)
