Beyond the Sword : Volume II: King Saud - Bridging Tradition and Diplomacy

Article | Beyond the Sword

By: Nora Alzahid

When King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ascended to the throne in 1953, Saudi Arabia was in the midst of a profound transformation. The discovery of oil had ushered in newfound wealth, and the Kingdom faced the challenge of positioning itself on the global stage. Unlike his father, King Abdulaziz, who had unified the Arabian Peninsula through tribal diplomacy and strategic alliances, King Saud inherited a state that needed to define its role in international affairs. His reign saw the first concerted efforts to engage in public diplomacy long before the term was widely recognized by leveraging modernization, global partnerships, and media outreach.

Modernization as a Diplomatic Tool

Saudi Arabia’s rapid economic growth under King Saud’s rule was both a domestic necessity and a diplomatic statement. With oil revenues increasing, his administration invested in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, conveying that the Kingdom was evolving into a modern state.

The construction of highways, airports, and hospitals improved the quality of life and projected an image of stability and development to foreign investors and international allies. The establishment of schools, including institutions for girls’ education, demonstrated an openness to progress that distinguished Saudi Arabia from other emerging nations. By modernizing state institutions, King Saud positioned the country as a reliable partner on the world stage, capable of managing its vast resources and geopolitical responsibilities.

Expanding Saudi Arabia’s Diplomatic Presence

King Saud understood that Saudi Arabia’s influence could not be confined to its borders. During his tenure, the Kingdom expanded its diplomatic missions and increased its presence in international affairs. He cultivated relationships with Western and Arab leaders, carefully navigating Cold War tensions while reinforcing Saudi sovereignty.

His historic visit to the United States in 1957 marked a turning point in Saudi diplomacy. Meeting with President Dwight D. Eisenhower, he emphasized Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance, not just as an oil supplier but as a stabilizing force in the Middle East. The visit solidified U.S.-Saudi relations, ensuring continued military and economic cooperation.

At the same time, King Saud sought to bolster ties within the Arab and Muslim worlds. He advocated for Palestinian rights, supported Egypt during the Suez Crisis, and positioned Saudi Arabia as a leader in Islamic affairs. His foreign policy approach balanced pragmatism with ideological commitments, allowing the Kingdom to assert itself as a regional power and a bridge between East and West.

Harnessing Media to Shape Public Perception

The emergence of mass media during King Saud’s reign provided new avenues for shaping public perception. The print media became tools for reinforcing the Kingdom’s image as a guardian of Islamic values and a nation on the path of modernization.

Saudi media played a crucial role in controlling the national narrative by promoting state-led initiatives and highlighting the Kingdom's development. These efforts helped counter Western stereotypes of the Middle East while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the Muslim world. Though rudimentary by today’s standards, this early media use foreshadowed the Kingdom’s later reliance on communication as a core aspect of its public diplomacy.

Balancing Tradition with Global Engagement

Unlike later Saudi leaders who would take more assertive approaches to global affairs, King Saud had to strike a delicate balance between modernization and the Kingdom’s religious identity. While he embraced development projects and international partnerships, he remained committed to maintaining Saudi Arabia’s status as the heart of the Islamic world.

By presenting himself as both a reformer and a custodian of tradition, King Saud appealed to multiple audiences. To Western allies, he was a leader overseeing an oil-rich state eager to engage with global markets. To the Arab and Muslim world, he was a defender of Islamic values and a proponent of regional solidarity. This ability to maintain dual messaging became a defining feature of Saudi Arabia’s public diplomacy, ensuring that modernization did not come at the expense of religious legitimacy.