The Analysis of Saudi Arabia’s Strategy for Syrian Crisis (2011-2016)

The Analysis of Saudi Arabia’s Strategy for Syrian Crisis (2011-2016)Dr. Hassan Shamsini GhaiasvandAbolfazl Soliman FallahAbstract:During the Syrian crisis, Saudi Arabia has supported the Syrian opposition especially Salafi groups. The goals of Saudi Arabia were to change Syrian regime, to weaken the resistance axis and to change the balance of power in the region. Saudi Arabia officials believe that the overthrow of Syrian regime would force Syria to distance itself from Iran and join an alliance with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has taken several measures to reach its aims in Syria, including: planning of sabotage acts, financial and logistical support of Salafi groups and exerting pressure on the Syrian government in regional and international institutions. In order to conduct their research, the authors have used offensive realism theory.Key Words:Bashar Assad, Syrian Government, Saudi Arabia, Iran, International Institutions