The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was once at the front and center of the Arab world and a significant player on the global stage due to its oil riches, has been steadily losing its regional influence and prominent role.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been confronted with multiple challenges simultaneously, including its domestic, social, political, economic, and religious trials, its conflict with Iran, its bilateral relations with the United States, the rise of extremism, and the intra-Arab crisis.
Saudi Arabia failed to catch up with the rapidly changing developments that engulfed the region, and now it finds itself squeezed from all angles, with little prospect of relief unless the kingdom undertakes sweeping changes.
The challenge for Saudi Arabia is that given its culture, sociopolitical make up, and the dominant role of religion, it will be extraordinarily difficult for the Saudis to change direction.
