Saudi Arabia
Profile
Saudi Arabia was one of three countries that recognized the Taliban regime in the 90s. It also financed them through Pakistani ISI. However, relations soured when Riyadh retracted its recognition of the Taliban when the latter refused to hand over Osama bin Laden and closed its embassy after the September 11 attacks. The Saudis also offered to host peace (a venue preferred by the former Afghan government) and tried to convince the Taliban to negotiate on Saudi soil. Still, the group refused because the Kingdom was not neutral. The Taliban's victory has raised concerns about the revival of militant jihadi extremism that could threaten the Arab world. The Kingdom fears the Taliban's control will likely encourage ideological and fundamentalist movements when it seeks more social openness and modernization by limiting the role of religious institutions. Saudis also fear Taliban victory will create space for the rise of ISKP and al Qaeda. Concerned about the security threats emanating following the Taliban takeover, the prominence of Qatari role in Afghanistan, and Iranian influence in the country, it is reported MBS commission Prince Turki al Faisal, who had extensive experience with the Taliban in the 1990s, to renew relations with the new Afghan authorities. Riyadh re-opened the consular section of its embassy in Kabul. However, having become more liberal and less fundamentalist, the Saudis have little common ground left with the Taliban. Riyadh had relied on Pakistan to influence the Taliban; however, relations between the two have been strained lately. The Kingdom has also engaged with India on the Afghan situation.
Key Interests & Priorities
1. International Terrorism
Saudi Arabia is disconcerted with Afghanistan again being under the Taliban's control. It does not want Afghanistan to become a haven for militant jihadi extremist groups, such as al Qaeda, who might see their fortunes revived with the Taliban victory. It is also concerned Afghanistan might become an ungoverned space that allows for other extremist groups to threaten the Kingdom and its interests, such as ISKP. Riyadh is rightly worried about the inspiration Taliban's victory might lend to similar regional groups.
2. Regional Politics
Saudi Arabia maintains a keen interest in Afghanistan, not so much because of how the latter affected the former's geopolitical interests. Instead, the Kingdom has been more concerned that Afghanistan is affecting its relations with its staunch rival Iran. Several regional rivals, such as Iran, Turkey, and Qatar, managed to gain direct access to the new Taliban regime. Qatari, Iranian, and Taliban diplomats have traveled to each other's capitals. While the Taliban–Iranian relations started well with Tehran trying to reach a pragmatic accommodation with the Taliban, the relationship has suffered in recent months. In Saudi eyes, the Taliban's redeeming feature was that it opposed Shia Iran. Still, unlike in the 1990s, the Saudi leadership did not want to be associated with groups like the Taliban. It was more focused on building a modern image and limiting religious influence at home.
3. Inclusive Government
At the initiative of Saudi Arabia, in March 2022, the OIC convened an extraordinary session of foreign ministers on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. In the resolution, Saud Arabia and other members called for the establishment of inclusive governmental structures that adopt moderate and sound domestic policies to realize the shared goals of durable peace, security, safety, and long-term prosperity for Afghanistan and the region. Riyadh does not want Afghanistan to destablize and become a haven for enemy terrorist groups such as al Qaeda and ISKP.