Once allies, Turkey and Saudi Arabia seek to revive their strategic partnership after years of diplomatic challenges.
Before the rise of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the deepening regional conflicts, Turkey and Saudi Arabia enjoyed a period of growing diplomatic and economic cooperation. In April 2016, Saudi King Salman’s visit to Turkey was marked by lavish celebrations, symbolizing the emerging alliance between the two nations as they positioned themselves as regional powerhouses in military and economic terms.
However, the following years saw a dramatic shift. The two countries became embroiled in a series of disputes, including blockades, boycotts, and proxy wars, further complicated by the high-profile murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. These tensions strained relations and led to a rupture in their once-promising partnership.
Now, after a period of reconciliation and strategic recalibration, Turkey and Saudi Arabia seem to be moving towards rebuilding their alliance, seeking to restore the cooperation that once positioned them as key players in Middle Eastern geopolitics.