Cold War In The Islamic World: Saudi Arabia, Iran And The Struggle For Supremacy.

For four decades Saudi Arabia and Iran have vied for influence in the Muslim world. At the heart of this ongoing Cold War between Riyadh and Tehran lie the Sunni-Shia divide, and the two countries' intertwined histories. Saudis see this as a conflict between Sunni and Shia; Iran's ruling clerics view it as one between their own Islamic Republic and an illegitimate monarchy. This foundational schism has played out in a geopolitical competition for dominance in the region: Iran has expanded its influence in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, while Saudi Arabia's hyperactive crown prince, Muhammad bin Salman, has intervened in Yemen, isolated Qatar and destabilized Lebanon. Dilip Hiro examines the toxic rivalry between the two countries, tracing its roots and asking whether this Islamic Cold War is likely to end any time soon. For four decades Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran have vied for influence in the Muslim world. At the heart of this ongoing Cold War between Riyadh and Tehran lie the Sunni-Shia divide, and the two countries' diverse histories, socio-economic compositions, and claims to exceptionalism. Saudis present their rivalry with Iran stemming from conflict between Sunnis and Shias. But, according to Iran's ruling clerics, their republic is founded on Islamic precepts whereas Saudis' dynastic rule lacks legitimacy in Islam. This foundational schism has played out in a geopolitical competition for dominance in the region and beyond: Iran has acquired influence in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, while Saudi Arabia's hyperactive crown prince, Muhammad bin Salman, has intervened in the Yemeni civil war against the Tehran-backed Houthis, and tried to destabilize Lebanon and isolate neighboring Qatar.. In his lucid narrative, peppered with penetrating analysis, Dilip Hiro examines the toxic rivalry between the two nations, tracing its roots to the eighteen-century Arabia, and examines whether the current Cold War in the Islamic world is likely to end in the near future Machine generated contents note: 1.Introduction -- 2.Black Gold and America Shape Iran and Saudi Arabia -- 3.Faisal's Enduring Imprint the Shah's Vaulting Ambition -- 4.An Islamic Revolution in Iran Initial Misreading by the Saudis -- 5.Iran's Second Revolution A Millennial Challenge to the House of Saud -- 6.The Iran-Iraq War Steels Khomeini's Regime -- 7.The Saudi-Iranian Race to Influence the Muslim World -- 8.Saudi Arabia at the Center of the Twentieth Century's Last Major War -- 9.Saudi-Iranian Detente -- 10.The Gulf Rivals' Eastward March -- 11.Iran's Nuclear Saga and Iraq Averts an Inter-Sectarian War -- 12.The Arab Spring -- Reversed by a Saudi-backed Counterrevolution -- 13.Multi-front Cold War between Riyadh and Tehran -- 14.Trump Fuels Gulf Rivals' Cold War -- 15.Conclusions -- 16.Epilogue. Hiro examines the toxic rivalry between the two countries, tracing its roots and asking whether this Islamic Cold War is likely to end any time soon. --From publisher description The Foundational Schism Between Sunni Arabia And Shia Persia Manifests Itself In Geopolitics, As Kingdom And Islamic Republic Compete.