Recently, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met in Cairo. The conversation highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to increase its influence in Egypt. These two nations have been close for many years, and now Saudi Arabia seeks to expand its control in the region.
During this conversation, two agreements were signed. One is related to the protection of investments, and the other is to create a coordination council between the countries. These deals point out Salman’s efforts to tighten its grip on Egypt through economic and political means. Furthermore, Riyadh wants Egypt to always remain its key partner. For this reason, it uses its wealth to influence the region. His approach raises concerns about Saudi Arabia’s growing dominance and its push to shape regional policies in its favor, potentially undermining Egypt’s independence.
With time, Saudi Arabia lost its influence in the region. They did not succeed in stopping the Hamas attack and reducing tension after October 2023. This indicates that Saudi Arabia has no more power to control important regional events. This losing power has weakened its role in shaping the Middle East‘s future.
At the same time, Iran, Qatar, and Turkey have won the race and are becoming more powerful. These nations took advantage of this shift. Iran stands in favor of Hamas and Qatar and Turkey has also criticized Israel’s actions.
Saudi Arabia’s inability to act decisively makes it seem like it’s no longer a strong leader in the region. Even Russia is quietly supporting these groups, which further isolates Saudi Arabia and erodes its influence.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s ongoing human rights abuses, including silencing critics, restricting freedoms, and repressing opposition, damage its international image. These violations make it harder for Saudi Arabia to influence both regional and global affairs. The country now faces serious challenges both internally and across the wider region.
Furthermore, the nation claims to have brought stability to the region, but its actions tell a different story. Back in 1980, when Kingdome helped the US support the Mujahideen in Afghanistan. Later on, this support led to the rise of extremist groups like Al Qaeda. After Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, Saudi Arabia supported the United States, which again became the reason for instability and tensions in the region.
In the 2000s, Saudi leaders claimed that they were against extremism, but that it stood in favor of authoritarian leaders like Egypt’s President al-Sisi and worked against groups like the Muslim Brotherhood. Its close ties with Egypt have increased chaos and tensions. In 2015, Mohammad Bin Salman took power and the situation became more critical, and tensions grew even more. MBS’s aggressive policies caused anger, dividing the region further. Saudi Arabia’s actions have not brought peace but have added to the problems in the Middle East, creating more conflicts and resentment.
Saudi Arabia has claimed that it makes efforts to achieve peace with Israel through a two-state solution, but its actions have not followed through. Additionally, the October 7 attacks further worsened the situation and disrupted any progress toward peace and normalization. Leaders, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi shed light on regional issues. Both play a key role in shaping the Middle East’s future. But Saudi Arabia’s role has often been more focused on its interests than on real regional stability.
During this visit, an agreement was signed regarding to form of the Saudi-Egyptian Supreme Coordination Council to increase cooperation. In talks, different cases were discussed such as the Gaza war, Red Sea security, the crisis in Lebanon, etc. Reports show that both sides showed concern about the situation, but Saudi Arabia’s actions continue to contribute to instability, showing little real commitment to resolving the crises or reducing tensions.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia’s involvement in solving the Middle East crisis is questionable. Furthermore, the power of this nation in Lebanon has weekend as Hezbolla’s rise. This highlights the diminishing power of the Saudi nation.
Saudi Arabia’s efforts to resolve the crisis in Lebanon seem ineffective. Furthermore, the nation’s regional role in unstable situations in Sudan, Libya, and Syria appears limited, despite its claims of a strategic partnership with Egypt.