Saudi Arabia’s Growing International Reputation

Saudi Arabia has long been known as a leading source of the world’s oil with complicated connections to international terrorism. Yet it also appears the nation is seeking to take the lead as an international negotiator. As an author from Deutsche Welle recently observed, “First Sudan, then Gaza, now Ukraine: Saudi Arabia is hosting talks on another crisis that has drawn international attention. Experts say the kingdom is reshaping its image as a global power broker” (March 10, 2025).

In recent weeks, Saudi Arabia has played host to international peace efforts between the U.S. and Russia and between the U.S. and Ukraine. And as a German political researcher noted, “Saudi Arabia has indeed established itself as a platform for dialog in the last two to three years.” Another analyst observed, “With regard to the Middle East, all negotiations in the region go through Riyadh.”

Why is Saudi Arabia taking an increasingly visible role in mediating world peace? Some believe it is because the oil-rich nation stands to gain financially and politically from its involvement—and that certainly may be true. Yet students of Bible prophecy should watch developments in shifting Middle East power structures with special interest. Scripture is clear that at the end of the age a powerful group of Arab nations will arise, referred to in prophecy as “the king of the South” (Daniel 11:40). This group of nations will become a formidable opposition to the German-led “king of the North” or “beast” nations. Someone will need to take the lead to facilitate the formation of the “king of the South,” and Saudi Arabia’s efforts to become an international diplomatic leader deserve watchful attention. To learn more about this coming “king of the South,” be sure to read or listen to The Middle East in Prophecy.