Saudi Arabia’s growing influence — a force for peace and stability 
Saudi Arabia has steadily emerged as one of the most influential nations on a global scale, with its political, economic and cultural impact continuing to grow worldwide over the past several years. Forbes has released its 2025 list of the world’s 10 most powerful countries, ranking Saudi Arabia 9th among the top global powers. The rankings are determined based on five key parameters: Leadership, economic influence, political power, strong international alliances, and military strength.
Similarly, this growing influence is further underscored in the 2024 Best Countries report by US News & World Report, which ranked the Kingdom as the “7th most politically influential country in the world.” While this ranking is undoubtedly significant, it is only one of many indicators that highlight Saudi Arabia’s rising status as a key player in shaping global affairs.
The Kingdom is currently undergoing a comprehensive transformation, with improvements in living standards and a modernized legal framework that have made major cities, such as Riyadh and Jeddah, an attractive destination for professionals seeking to live and work inside Kingdom. These advances are further supported by its ambitious development agenda, including megaprojects such as Qiddiya, the Red Sea Project, AlUla, and NEOM — a futuristic smart city. Collectively, these efforts position the Kingdom as a forward-thinking global player.
Building on this progress, another factor that will assist the Kingdom in solidifying its position on the global stage is Riyadh’s strong and strategic relationships with major powers.
A week ago, during his visit to the Kingdom, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his belief in the growing responsibility that Saudi Arabia is assuming in resolving the conflict in the Middle East. “Saudi Arabia is one of the key players in the region,” he said. “Its influence and power have significantly increased in recent years. And with growing influence, of course, comes greater responsibility for this country.”
With Saudi Arabia ranked as one of the 10th most influential countries in the world by many reports, the potential rise in influence would further solidify Saudi Arabia’s position on the global stage, driven by its strong and strategic ties with major powers globally while contributing to greater stability across the Middle East as a result of Saudi Arabia’s growing leadership. The Kingdom’s increasing strength is not only a testament to its ambitious vision but also good news for the region, as it paves the way for economic growth, security and cooperation among neighboring nations.
- Nasser bin Hamed Al-Ahmad is a political researcher and writer with more than seven years’ experience in political media. He specializes in analyzing political trends in the MENA region and the US. X: @nasseralahmad3
