SAUDI ARABIA-IRAN RIVALRY AND THE IMPACT ON LEBANON

Abstract

This article delves into the complex and enduring rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, two regional powerhouses whose ideological and geopolitical differences have significantly shaped the Middle East. Focusing particularly on the period following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, the article explores how this rivalry has intensified and found expression in key battlegrounds like Lebanon. It examines Lebanon’s sectarian and political fragility, which has made it a prime arena for proxy competition between the Saudi-backed Sunni and pro-Western factions and Iran’s most prominent regional proxy, Hezbollah. Through the lens of International Relations theories—
 including Realism, Constructivism, and Proxy War Theory—the article analyzes the motives behind both states’ foreign policies and the broader implications for Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty, and reform efforts. Ultimately, the article provides insight into how this rivalry continues to shape regional security dynamics and hinder prospects for peace and neutrality in Lebanon.