The Deep Reasons Why Saudi Arabia Is a Center for Global Reconciliation

When US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov met in Riyadh last week to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict, many asked: Why has Saudi Arabia become a global diplomatic destination?

What makes a Middle Eastern country, neither a superpower nor a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), trusted by both the East and the West as a mediator? The answer lies not in mere military or economic strength, but in decades of building a reputation for neutrality, fairness and tireless efforts for peace.

According to Dr. Naif Alotaibi, an official at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Pakistan, despite being the world's 18th largest economy (GDP reaching 1.1 trillion USD in 2023) and a leading oil exporter, Riyadh is not the richest or most powerful country.

“Even UN Security Council members turn to Saudi Arabia when conflicts escalate,” Alotaibi stressed. This shows that the international community’s trust in Riyadh goes beyond conventional economic or political indicators.

The secret, Dr Alotaibi revealed, lies in “impartial mediation” – a factor cultivated through a series of diplomatic initiatives. Unlike countries often suspected of geopolitical motives, Saudi Arabia has always maintained a balanced attitude, focusing on practical solutions rather than partisan interests.

History mediates conflicts

Since the 1980s, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated its ability to settle seemingly intractable disputes:

Taif Agreement (1989): Riyadh played a key role in ending Lebanon's 15-year civil war, establishing a sectarian power-sharing mechanism. This is considered the foundation for Lebanon to maintain peace despite the complex political context.

Standing with Kuwait (1990): When Iraq attacked Kuwait, Saudi Arabia not only mobilized a 35-nation coalition led by the US but also contributed $16.8 billion to the campaign, helping restore sovereignty to its neighbor.

Morocco-Algeria reconciliation (1980s): Riyadh promotes dialogue, leading to the reopening of the border between the two countries after decades of confrontation.

Easing Syria-Jordan tensions (1980): When Syria deployed 20,000 troops and 600 tanks along the Jordanian border, the late Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal successfully negotiated for Damascus to withdraw its troops, avoiding a potential war.

These successes did not come by luck. “Saudi Arabia understands its role: Listening to all sides, not imposing solutions, and being willing to bear the costs of diplomacy,” Dr. Alotaibi analyzed.

Neutrality - the key to trust

The ability to maintain a “balance of power” has helped Riyadh become a bridge between rival factions. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Saudi Arabia refused to condemn Moscow, while providing $410 million in aid to Kiev. This approach has made both sides see Riyadh as a viable negotiating partner.

Neutrality is also demonstrated by hosting interfaith conferences, such as the 2022 “Jeddah Peace Dialogue,” which brings together representatives of 14 religions to discuss peaceful coexistence. This reinforces Saudi Arabia’s image as not only a conflict mediator, but also a cultural bridge.

Unlike the “carrot and stick” diplomacy of major powers, Riyadh builds influence by supporting poor countries, funding development projects, and maintaining relationships with all governments regardless of their institutions. For example, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has invested $19 billion in 84 countries since 1975, focusing on health, education, and infrastructure.

Despite possessing 16% of the world’s oil reserves, Saudi Arabia understands that oil is only a short-term power. As the world transitions to clean energy, Riyadh is positioning itself as a “center of green diplomacy.” It has launched the “Middle East Green Deal” initiative, pledging to plant 10 billion trees and drastically reduce carbon emissions in the region.

The above examples illustrate how Saudi Arabia has leveraged its political influence, economic power, and position as a major energy producer to prevent wars, resolve conflicts, and defuse crises between countries.

This has given Riyadh a unique position of influence, allowing it to act as a neutral and trusted intermediary, respected by governments and people around the world.