Secret U.S.-Saudi Pact Exposed: How They’re Carving up Syria behind Closed Doors!

With the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024 and the rise of an interim government led by Mohammed al-Julani in Damascus, Syria has entered a critical phase of political transition. This development presents both an opportunity and a threat for regional and global powers.

Amidst this, Saudi Arabia and the United States have found common ground in shaping Syria’s political future—a convergence that can be analyzed as a covert U.S.-Saudi partnership. This hidden collaboration is designed to curb regional rivals, expand Arab influence, exploit post-Assad economic opportunities, and reshape the Middle East’s regional order.

► Countering Regional Players
With Assad’s fall, Washington and Riyadh’s primary focus has shifted from "weakening Iranian and Turkish influence" to "complete eradication and preventing the return of regional forces." This is where the role of the transitional government led by Mohammed al-Julani—a complex figure once considered problematic by the West—becomes crucial.

Due to Julani’s terrorist past and his group’s (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) history, the U.S. cannot and does not want to engage with him directly. This is where Saudi Arabia steps in as an "essential mediator." Riyadh plays a dual role by leveraging its religious and financial influence: On one hand, it provides guarantees and political support to legitimize Syria’s transitional government internationally and among Arab states. On the other, it assures Washington that the new Damascus government has fully distanced itself from Iran and is aligning with the Arab world.

This covert U.S.-Saudi cooperation works as follows: The U.S. provides intelligence and security support to eliminate pro-Iranian forces, while Saudi Arabia takes on the political and financial backing needed to stabilize the new government.

►Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s Geopolitical Role in the Levant
Assad’s downfall has turned Mohammed bin Salman’s years-long strategy to revive Arab influence in Syria into a resounding success. Riyadh, which had already positioned itself as a pragmatic player by restoring ties with Syria in Assad’s final years, has now assumed the role of "political godfather" of the new Syria. Saudi Arabia’s role has evolved from mere mediator to the chief architect of Syria’s future foreign policy and political structure.

Over the past six months, Riyadh has hosted several key meetings with Syrian political figures, paving the way for a more inclusive government. Saudi Arabia’s decisive backing in the Arab League led to Syria’s seat being swiftly handed to the transitional government, triggering a flood of Persian Gulf aid to Damascus. In a controversial move, Trump even met with Julani in Riyadh through Saudi mediation.

By managing Syria’s power transition, Saudi Arabia has not only diminished Iran’s influence but also proven to Washington that it is the only partner capable of ensuring stability in the Levant’s most volatile region. This success has unprecedentedly bolstered Saudi Arabia’s geopolitical standing.

► Economic Exploitation in the Transitional Phase
With relative stability achieved, post-Assad economic opportunities have shifted from a distant prospect to an immediate reality. A fierce competition is now underway to secure contracts for rebuilding Syria’s devastated infrastructure. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), along with Qatari and Emirati investment entities—backed by U.S. political support—are leading this race.

Major contracts for reconstructing power grids, oil refineries in Homs, and the ports of Latakia and Tartus are being finalized with Saudi-led consortiums. This approach serves two key goals: First, reaping massive economic profits and creating long-term dependency of Syria’s economy on Persian Gulf capital. Second, completely blocking the entry of Iranian and Russian firms.
While maintaining broad sanctions, the U.S. has granted targeted exemptions to allied companies, ensuring Syria’s reconstruction is monopolized by the Arab-Western axis. This diplomacy guarantees that any economic influence from rivals is stifled at birth, ensuring the new Syria remains economically aligned with the West and its allies.

- In March 2025, Saudi’s ACWA Power signed a five-year deal to rebuild Aleppo’s thermal power plant.
- Qatar has entered the scene with a $7 billion investment in the Syria Power Grid project, partnering with UCC Holdings.
- In a joint move, Saudi Arabia and Qatar paid off Syria’s $15.5 million debt to the World Bank in May 2025 to facilitate international aid to Julani’s government.
- The Arab consortium SilkLink has begun launching the Damascus-Latakia fiber-optic network, set to transform internet access and the digital economy.

► Rebuilding Regional Order through Targeted Cooperation
The Syria dossier has now become the first tangible success of a new U.S.-Saudi security cooperation model—one based on a "division of labor": The U.S. provides macro-level security-political cover and leverages international tools (sanctions, UN influence) to advance shared goals, while Saudi Arabia, as the regional power, takes charge of political, diplomatic, and economic management.

This successful collaboration in Syria has allowed both nations—despite differences in other areas—to secure a joint strategic victory and lay the groundwork for reshaping the regional order. Syria’s case will serve as a blueprint for resolving future crises, signaling the end of costly direct U.S. intervention and a shift toward relying on capable regional partners who can "get the job done."

*Translated by Ashraf Hemmati from the original Persian article written by Mohammad Saleh Ghorbani