The Arab uprisings and subsequent crises in the region not only altered the internal dynamics of the regional countries, but also laid the foundation for new understandings regarding the regional order. While the traditional regional powers, Egypt, Syria and Iraq, lost their positions in the regional system, states such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia rolled up their sleeves to shape the order in the Middle East. The decline in the US’ influence in the region coincided with the crumbling of the old regional order in which states put forward their own visions for the new regional order and sought new allies. The shrinking of the US position in the region created opportunities for other extra-regional actors to expand their influence in regional affairs, notably China and Russia, which emerged as two key powers that aimed to strengthen their relations with the regional countries in several aspects, even if they could not totally fill the American void. Both Russia and China provided the regional states with an opportunity to lessen their dependence on the US as the only heavyweight in the region. Thus, Russia and China's role in the region is not only limited to the Syrian conflict; but, in recent years, they have developed a multi-faceted relationship with both Turkey and Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia. The positions of the world powers are generally indicated when they take part in ongoing conflicts around the globe, and how other states meddle in these conflicts affects international circumstances. Before delving into Russia and China's relations with both Turkey and Saudi Arabia respectively, it is important to examine the US's relations with its two traditional allies in the Middle East, and how its relations with both Ankara and Riyadh affected the regional crises. One of the consequences of the divergence of Turkish and Saudi interests is that they also differ sharply in their relations with the US.

Obama out, Trump in

In February 1945, as World War II was approaching its end, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Saudi King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud came together in an extraordinary

meeting aboard the USS Quincy in the Suez Canal. It was the first time an American president had ever met with a Saudi king and this meeting laid the foundation for the US-Saudi relationship. In that encounter, the two leaders reached an agreement that ensured US access to Saudi oil in exchange for American protection of the kingdom from foreign attacks.