This article examines the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s policy toward Syria between 2023 and 2025, focusing on its instruments of influence and inherent limitations. The analysis highlights a significant shift in Riyadh’s approach following the events of late 2024, marking a proactive turn in its engagement with the Syrian Arab Republic. While Iran has long been Damascus’s primary ally, Saudi Arabia has recently undertaken substantial efforts to reshape the regional balance of power. This study argues that these changes reflect a pragmatic Saudi strategy to expand its regional influence. The drivers of this policy are identified as not only Syria’s strategic significance and Riyadh’s ambitions within regional blocs but, crucially, its pursuit of Middle Eastern stability by countering the three neighboring power centers: Israel, Iran, and Turkey. The paper scrutinizes documented evidence and specific measures implemented by the Saudi leadership to increase its leverage in Syria. The concluding section identifies potential avenues for future Saudi-Syrian cooperation.
Key words: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, foreign policy, conflict, settlement.