Publication

This paper discusses the implications of the August 2012 Saudi-Iranian meeting on Syria. It argues that although Saudi Arabia and Iran are engaged in a struggle to shape the balance of power in the Middle East, they are both seeking to keep their struggle covert through the use of soft power. And even though it is difficult to see how the meeting will lead to any significant agreements, the two countries are clearly trying to manage their deep-seated rivalry. The author suggests that they may even be making preparations for the dawn after Assad.