Saudi Arabia's Sharp Turn from Reform to Rhetoric

Recent months have seen Saudi Arabia execute a significant realignment in its regional strategy, moving away from its US-aligned partners and the vision of an integrated, modern Middle East. The kingdom is reviving its historical rhetoric against Zionism and in favor of the Muslim Brotherhood, signaling a dramatic pivot in its foreign policy.

In a striking departure from its long-standing rivalry with Iran, Riyadh recently lobbied President Donald Trump to spare the Iranian regime. This move comes amid a series of policy shifts that are reshaping its alliances and priorities across the region.

A Pattern of Policy Reversals

Saudi Arabia's new direction is evident in its actions from Yemen to Sudan, where it has consistently broken ranks with its traditional allies.

A Split with the UAE over Yemen

The divergence with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the conflict in Yemen marks a critical fracture. The Saudi air force conducted strikes on Emirati assets, which cleared a path for its Yemeni allies—primarily the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Al-Islah party—to push south toward Aden. This military action underscores a clear break in the Saudi-Emirati coalition.

Siding with Islamists in Sudan

In Sudan, Riyadh has abandoned the Quad Plan, an agreement it co-signed that called for a ceasefire between the country's two warring generals, Abdul-Fattah al-Burhan of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Muhammad "Hemedti" Daglo of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The plan was designed to transition power to a civilian government.

Instead, Saudi Arabia has pledged to fund Burhan's $1.5 billion purchase of Pakistani weapons, a move that violates a global arms embargo on Sudan. Burhan is a remnant of Omar al-Bashir's Muslim Brotherhood regime and, like Hemedti, is under US sanctions. His forces are allied with the Sudanese Islamic Movement and its militias.

The Return of Anti-Zionist and Anti-US Rhetoric

The policy pivot is matched by a significant shift in public discourse, with Saudi media reviving aggressive anti-Israel and, more surprisingly, anti-American narratives. This contrasts sharply with the reformist image projected by King Salman Abdul-Aziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) since 2015.

From Normalization Talks to Open Criticism

For years, normalization with Israel seemed like an inevitability, with Riyadh only requiring a "pathway" to a Palestinian state rather than its full establishment. Now, the tone has completely reversed.

Saudi columnists, who reflect official government positions, argue that normalization between Muslims and Jews is impossible. An editorial in the daily Al-Riyadh stated, "Wherever Israel is present, there is ruin and destruction," accusing the country of disregarding international law and exploiting conflicts.

This sentiment was amplified after Israel recognized Somaliland, with Riyadh accusing both Israel and the UAE of advancing a "Zionist project" to partition and weaken Arab and Muslim nations.

A New Animosity Toward the United States

Uncharacteristically, Saudi media has also begun to target the United States. This is a notable departure from the approach of other Islamist-leaning governments like Qatar and Turkey, which typically criticize Israel while praising their ties with Washington.

A Saudi pundit writing in Okaz described President Trump's doctrine as "an era characterized by violent and direct intervention based on exploiting technological and informational superiority to impose a new political reality."

Decoding the Motives: Vision 2030's Economic Strain

The most likely driver behind this unmistakable realignment is the pressure of domestic economic challenges. With the 2030 deadline for MBS's flagship Vision 2030 plan approaching, the kingdom is struggling to transition its economy away from oil dependency.

• Oil Dependence: In 2025, oil activities accounted for 40–45% of Saudi GDP, compared to just 22% in the UAE.

• Budget Pressure: Riyadh needs oil prices around $96 per barrel to balance its budget. However, the average price in 2025 was $65.

• Growing Deficit: This price gap has caused the Saudi deficit to swell to approximately $65 billion.

Economic prosperity is the cornerstone of the Saudi social contract. As this foundation weakens, the government faces potential sociopolitical unrest. In response, Riyadh appears to be deploying a classic tactic used by regional governments: deflecting public anger by championing Islamist and anti-Zionist causes.

The Broader Implications for US Foreign Policy

If Saudi Arabia continues on this trajectory, it risks becoming more like Qatar and Turkey, or eventually even Iran. These nations have perfected a strategy of speaking from both sides of their mouth—praising their alliance with America while simultaneously promoting anti-Western sentiment and aligning with powers like Russia and China.

Washington's sustained relationships with Ankara and Doha, despite their rhetoric and support for the Muslim Brotherhood, may have sent a signal to Riyadh. The Saudis, who worked to eradicate jihadi Islam after 9/11, might now believe they can use Islamism as a foreign policy tool without consequence, as long as it doesn't directly target American interests.

This developing shift in Saudi Arabia presents a significant challenge for the United States. Washington must recognize the change underway to avoid a future where it is once again left asking why its allies have turned against it.