The Iran-Saudi Arabia geo-strategic competition in the Middle East. Rivalry between regional powers

Abstract

Iran and Saudi Arabia are providing economic, political and cultural resources to achieve a hegemonic position in the Middle East, through direct action or interposed actors. The Arab Spring opened up new opportunities for these two regional players that take advantage of unstable scenarios to spread their areas of influence. In spite of the armed conflicts (Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Daesh), what is at stake is the hierarchy of neighborhood relations, quotas of influence and power, and the regional leadership. As a consequence, their foreign policies have become more proactive. This article analyzes the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia in their pivot area.