Saudi Arabia's Foreign Policy Approach in support of Takfiri-Jihadi Groups (A case Study of the Syrian Crisis)

Saudi Arabia, as one of the most important countries in the Middle East, has acted as a conservative country over the past decades and has been largely recognized as an activist who is in favor of the status quo and opposed to change. But during the so-called Islamic Awakening, and especially in the events of the Syrian crisis since 2011, Saudi Arabia's regional behavior reflects the country's transition from a conservative approach to an aggressive foreign policy approach. Accordingly, the main question is “What is the Saudi Arabia's foreign policy approach in support of takfiri–jihadist groups?” (Problem) To answer this question, using descriptive-analytical method and data collection using existing articles, documents and library resources (Method), it has been concluded that Saudi Arabia's strategies regarding takfiri-jihadi groups in the region, and especially in Syria, include a wide range of direct support, consensus building at the level of regional organizations, and alliances with some countries in the region. Finally, it can be acknowledged that this kind of aggressive approach and modeling of takfiri-jihadi groups will be troublesome for the sovereignty and Wahhabi discourse of Saudi Arabia in the near future (Findings).