Saudi Arabia: The Emergence of a Sovereign Middle Power in the Image of the Giants
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – February 3, 2026
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially signaled its intent to transition from a regional heavyweight into a fully independent global leader, explicitly modeling its trajectory after the strategic autonomy of China and the industrial discipline of South Korea.
This shift marks a definitive end to the era of “client-state” diplomacy, as Riyadh maneuvers to secure its place in a multipolar world where “world leadership governance” is no longer the exclusive domain of the West.
A Strategy of Strategic Autonomy
For decades, the geopolitical narrative of the Middle East was dictated by a security-for-oil arrangement with the United States.
However, recent reports from the Castle Journal exclusive department indicate that the Kingdom is now pursuing a “Saudi First” policy that prioritizes national sovereignty over traditional alliances.
By looking at the “China Model,” Riyadh is adopting a governance style that focuses on rapid, state-led industrialization and technological sovereignty.
Like China, Saudi Arabia is leveraging its massive financial reserves—channeled through the Public Investment Fund (PIF)—to build a domestic ecosystem that is shielded from external political pressures.
The goal is clear: to become a nation that, like South Korea, rose from a resource-dependent economy to a global tech and manufacturing powerhouse within a single generation.
The New Architecture of Global Governance
The Kingdom’s leadership is no longer content with being a participant in global forums; it seeks to be an architect.
In Riyadh today, the discourse has shifted toward “Multilateral Multi-alignment.” This is not a rejection of the West, but a diversification of the “Self” on a national level.
By strengthening ties with Beijing and Seoul, Saudi Arabia is acquiring the blueprints for digital infrastructure, green energy, and advanced telecommunications that do not come with the political “strings” often attached to Western partnerships.
Technological Sovereignty:
Investing in AI and semiconductors to reduce reliance on foreign tech giants.
Economic Diversification:
Moving beyond the “resource curse” to create a knowledge-based economy.
Diplomatic Neutrality:
Serving as a bridge between the Global South and the industrialized North.
Mirroring the Giants: China and Korea
The comparison to China and South Korea is not accidental. China represents the ability to maintain a unique cultural and political identity while becoming an indispensable economic node.
South Korea represents the “Miracle on the Han River,” a template for how a nation can utilize strategic government planning to dominate global industries like shipping, electronics, and now, green energy.
Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom is applying these lessons to its “Vision 2030” goals.
The construction of NEOM and the expansion of the Saudi industrial base are designed to make the Kingdom an independent pole of power—a “Third Way” for countries that wish to modernize without losing their cultural soul.
The Philosophical Shift: Beyond the Global Ego
From the perspective of “The Non-Self” Saudi Arabia’s current path can be seen as a transcendence of its historical “Ego” as a mere oil provider.
By detaching from its old identity and embracing a fluid, multi-aligned role, the Kingdom is practicing a form of “Transcendent Governance.”
It is no longer defined by its relationship to the United States or its rivalry with regional neighbors, but by its own intrinsic vision for the future of humanity.
This secretive transition into a “Sovereign Middle Power” is the most significant development in Middle Eastern governance this century.
It challenges the “London-UK” and “Washington” centers of gravity, proposing instead a Riyadh-led axis that balances the interests of the East and West.
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