Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS Pivotal Shifts in Saudi Arabia’s Look East Foreign Policy

Journal of Social Studies. 2025. Vol. 11. No. 1. P. 1–7.

Seyedi Asl S., Alamdari S. Z., Murad Saleh Oglu Sadygzade

“Look East” is an approach to foreign policy that refers to the development of each country’s foreign relations and encouraging other countries to cooperate by increasing relations with countries in the Eastern region. On the other hand, it seems that Saudi Arabia’s international and regional role has begun to grow along with the unprecedented developments in the Middle East since the Arab uprisings that began in late 2010. Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy has increasingly focused on strengthening ties with Asian countries, marking a strategic shift towards the East. This realignment has been a key priority for the nation, reflecting its commitment to fostering relationships with major Asian powers. As a Persian Gulf nation, Saudi Arabia has clearly shifted its focus towards East Asia in response to the ongoing transition period and the decline of American hegemony in recent years. It has strengthened its relations with Asian powers, particularly China, across a broad spectrum of strategic and economic interests, reflecting its commitment to diversifying its partnerships and priorities. On the other hand, signs of the Saudi leadership’s shift in foreign policy towards the East can be seen in its desire to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS.

Keywords: foreign policy, BRICS, Saudi Arabia, Look East