Saudi Arabia and Egypt: Two Pillars of the Middle East

In this study, the authors examines the relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Republic of Egypt through means of retrospective analysis. They pursue several objectives. First, to examine the particularities of the interaction between the two countries and to identify the main factors contributing to their cooperation. Secondly, to analyse reasons that impede the development of inter-state relations. There is a methodological approach used in this study, which aims to assess a country as a potential pole or centre of power, thereby identifying its potential to emerge as a competitive regional or global leader. The authors analyse the underlying factors that define these two countries as the “engine”, the “pillar” of the Mashriq and their impact on the situation in the macro-region. In addition, they establish a correlation between domestic political/economic developments and the aspirations of the countries in question to dominance within their sub-region by examining the transformation processes taking place in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The authors focus on the regional problems of the Middle East, the emerging lines of confrontation, and the main hotbeds of instability that influence the regrouping of forces among the key players. They argue that cooperation is a more effective mechanism than confrontation, which gives grounds to speak not about a struggle for leadership in the region, but about the possibility of creating a powerful coalition of the two powers.Relying on each other, they could become a “joint leader of the Middle East”, which in turn would satisfy the economic interests and political ambitions of these countries and stabilise the entire geopolitical landscape of the region.These issues are addressed in a way that takes into account the involvement of global political actors interested in preserving the status quo in the region, which gives the subject not only a local but also an international dimension.

Saudi Arabia, Republic of Egypt, Middle East, regional rivalry, modernisation, counter-terrorism, international relations, bilateral relations