Afghanistan
vs
Saudi Arabia
The relation between Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia is NEUTRAL, with an overall score of 5.97 out of 10.
Chance of conflict between both countries: rare
Head to head: who leads each category
Afghanistan
43.8M
Leads
Saudi Arabia
37.0M
Afghanistan
$17.8B
Saudi Arabia
$1.3T
Leads
Afghanistan
$278.3M
Saudi Arabia
$80.3B
Leads
Afghanistan
#57
Saudi Arabia
#27
Leads
About this relationship
Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan maintain longstanding political, religious and humanitarian connections, although relations have been affected by Afghanistan's political instability.
Saudi Arabia has historically provided humanitarian assistance and supported diplomatic efforts concerning Afghanistan, while maintaining engagement with Afghan authorities.
Bilateral trade includes food products, consumer goods, machinery and other commodities, with Saudi Arabia serving as an important market and regional partner.
The two countries also interact through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and other Islamic diplomatic frameworks, particularly on humanitarian and political issues.
Overall, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan maintain significant religious, humanitarian and diplomatic links, with political developments shaping the scope of current engagement.
Strengths & comparison
The position in the international influence ranking of Saudi Arabia is 27, while Afghanistan is situated 30 places below in the ranking (position 57). Saudi Arabia maintains contact with 70 countries, while Afghanistan maintains contact with 34 countries. Saudi Arabia maintains an excellent relation with 7 countries, while in the case of Afghanistan, this figure drops to 6.
About Afghanistan
Afghanistan is a country located in South and Central Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the south and east, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north, and China to the far northeast. The country has a complex history and has been a battleground for various powers throughout its history.
In recent times, Afghanistan has been embroiled in conflict for several decades, starting with the Soviet invasion in 1979 and continuing with the civil war that followed. The country has also been a major theater of operations in the War on Terror, with the United States and other countries intervening in the country after the September 11th attacks in 2001.
Since then, Afghanistan has seen significant political and social upheaval, including the rise and fall of the Taliban, the establishment of a new government, and ongoing violence and conflict with various militant groups. The country has also struggled with issues such as corruption, poverty, and a lack of infrastructure and development.
Despite these challenges, Afghanistan has made some progress in recent years, including holding successful elections and making progress on issues such as women's rights and education. However, the country still faces many challenges and will likely continue to be a focus of international attention for the foreseeable future.
Geography & terrain
Landlocked, no coastline. Rugged and mountainous, dominated by the Hindu Kush range, with arid plains and deserts in the south and west. Climate is arid to semiarid, with harsh winters at altitude. Famously difficult to conquer and hold: the high passes and compartmentalized valleys favor local defenders and have worn down successive outside armies over centuries.
About Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a country located in the Middle East, and is the largest Arab state in Western Asia by land area. It is bordered by Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. Saudi Arabia is a key player in the region, and has significant influence over the Arab and Muslim worlds.
The country is a monarchy, with the Al Saud family ruling over the government. The current ruling king is King Salman, who has been in power since 2015. Saudi Arabia is a major exporter of oil, and is one of the world's largest producers of crude oil and natural gas. The country's economy is heavily reliant on the oil industry, and it is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Saudi Arabia is also an important ally of the United States, and the two countries have a long-standing strategic partnership. The US has provided military and economic assistance to Saudi Arabia, and the two countries have a shared interest in ensuring the stability of the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia is known for its strict adherence to the Wahhabi interpretation of Islam, and the country has been criticized for its treatment of women and minorities, as well as its human rights record. The country is also involved in ongoing conflicts in the region, including the civil war in Yemen.
Geography & terrain
Dominated by vast desert — including the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter), one of the largest sand deserts on Earth — with mountain ranges along the Red Sea coast in the west and a long coastline on both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Hot, arid desert climate with extreme summer temperatures. The sheer scale and harshness of the interior desert have historically been a formidable natural barrier to invasion, even as the coasts remain open to sea power.
| Afghanistan |
Saudi Arabia |
|
|---|---|---|
| Government type | Islamic emirate | Absolute monarchy |
| GDP | $17.8B | $1.3TLeads |
| GDP per capita | $417 | $34.5KLeads |
| Military expenditure | $278.3M | $80.3BLeads |
| Military expenditure per capita | $6 | $2.2KLeads |
| Land military expenditure (estimation) | $222.6M | $28.1BLeads |
| Air military expenditure (estimation) | $55.7M | $36.1BLeads |
| Naval military expenditure (estimation) | n/a | $16.1B |
| Nuclear power | No | No |
| European Union | Not a member | Not a member |
| NATO | Not a member | Not a member |
Strengths & comparison
The capitals of Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia are approximately 2 429 km apart (straight-line distance). There is a standard time difference of about 1.5 hours between them.
Based on shared language, currency, economic profile, borders and international groups, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia score a 0/100 similarity index. This is a fun, approximate metric — not a scientific one.
Which side is each country closer to?
Comparing Afghanistan's and Saudi Arabia's scores against the same third countries shows where each one has a clear edge. Afghanistan scores noticeably higher with: United States, Turkey, Italy, Iran, Russia.Saudi Arabia scores noticeably higher with: Pakistan, India, Japan, Israel, China.
The relation between Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia hasn't changed recently, and it remains at 6.0.
Score history
Let's suppose a hypothetical conflict occurs between both countries:
Solo scenario: Afghanistan vs Saudi Arabia
Allies scenario: Team Afghanistan vs Team Saudi Arabia
In a hypothetical conflict between Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, probably, United States and Turkey will participate helping Afghanistan.
Pakistan and India will participate helping Saudi Arabia.
Battle narrative
Initial phase
Saudi Arabia's larger military budget and stronger air power give it an advantage in the initial stages of the conflict, with the ability to target key military positions and infrastructure.
Force composition
Saudi Arabia can also call on significantly more personnel, counting both active-duty and reserve forces. Saudi Arabia's advantage extends to naval power as well.
Ground campaign
Afghanistan's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: Famously difficult to conquer and hold: the high passes and compartmentalized valleys favor local defenders and have worn down successive outside armies over centuries. Khyber Pass would likely be a focal point of the campaign: The main historic route through the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan, long used for invasion, trade, and troop movement. Saudi Arabia's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The sheer scale and harshness of the interior desert have historically been a formidable natural barrier to invasion, even as the coasts remain open to sea power. Ras Tanura would likely be a focal point of the campaign: The country's principal oil export terminal on the Persian Gulf, through which a large share of Saudi crude reaches world markets. Afghanistan's larger population could also support a prolonged resistance.
Prolonged conflict
Saudi Arabia's stronger economy could help sustain military operations in a prolonged conflict. Saudi Arabia also devotes a larger share of its economy to defense (about 6.3% of GDP), a more militarized posture that could be easier to sustain over time. Occupying Afghanistan outright would likely prove costly given its terrain.
Overall assessment
Overall, the numbers favor Saudi Arabia, giving it an estimated 70.8% chance of coming out on top. Turning that edge into a decisive win over Afghanistan — and holding any ground taken — would still be far from guaranteed.
Initial phase
With both the bigger war chest and the stronger air force, Afghanistan's team is well placed to seize the initiative early, striking key military and infrastructure targets first.
Force composition
Saudi Arabia's team can also call on significantly more personnel, counting both active-duty and reserve forces. Afghanistan's team's advantage extends to naval power as well.
Ground campaign
Saudi Arabia's team's larger population could also support a prolonged resistance.
Coalition
Afghanistan's team goes into this conflict as a coalition of United States, Turkey and Afghanistan. Saudi Arabia's team goes into this conflict as a coalition of India, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Coordinating several countries at once adds combined strength for both sides, but also extra logistical and political complexity.
Prolonged conflict
Afghanistan's team's stronger economy could help sustain military operations in a prolonged conflict. Afghanistan's team's members are spread far apart, which could make sustained logistics harder the longer the conflict runs.
Overall assessment
Overall, the numbers favor Afghanistan's team, giving it an estimated 59.2% chance of coming out on top. Turning that edge into a decisive win over Saudi Arabia's team — and holding any ground taken — would still be far from guaranteed.
Want to build your own teams? Try the War Simulator.