The “Shi‘a Question†in the Political Development of Saudi Arabia

The article analyzes the influence of the “Shi‘a Question†on the political development of Saudi Arabia. The relevance of studying interfaith relations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is due to the religious specifics of the state, which is a powerful factor in the evolution of Riyadh’s domestic and foreign policy. The author describes the process of transforming the “Shi‘a Question†from problems of internal stability of the kingdom into one of the most important elements of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy. The methodological aspects of the study of interfaith relations in the KSA are covered. Particular attention is paid to determining the size of the kingdom’s Shiite community, using both the official 2022 census results and alternative estimates based on third-party data. The influence of the “Shi‘a Question†on the development of bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran after 1979, as well as the relationship between the political dynamics of the Middle East and the transformation of Riyadh’s approaches to resolving issues of internal stability are separately examined. In conclusion, an assessment of the problems and prospects for the development of the KSA policy in the field of interfaith relations is presented against the background of reforms carried out within the framework of the Vision: 2030 program and current events in the region, including in the context of the normalization of Iranian-Saudi relations.