Saudi Arabia’s journey from troublemaker to diplomat

As Sudan descended into war last month, Saudi Arabia sent navy ships to evacuate thousands of people from the conflict. When one of the vessels returned home, a female Saudi soldier was filmed carrying a rescued baby ashore.

The images turned her into a celebrity in the kingdom, as accolades for Riyadh’s rescue effort poured in from the US and other countries. The Saudi foreign minister has also led efforts to secure a ceasefire in Sudan. It was the latest moment in a seemingly redemptive arc for Saudi Arabia, which in recent years had earned itself a reputation as a regional troublemaker.