Saudi Arabia and Iran: Power and Rivalry in the Middle East (Library of Modern Middle East Studies)

In the wake of the 1979 Iranian revolution, relations between states in the Middle East were reconfigured and reassessed overnight. Amongst the most-affected was the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The existence of a new regime in Tehran led to increasingly vitriolic confrontations between these two states, often manifesting themselves in the conflicts across the region, such as those in Lebanon and Iraq, and more recently in Bahrain and Syria. With rhetoric emanating from each side about the other's illegitimacy, most often couched in terms of religious orthodoxy or heresy, the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran has ramifications not only in the Gulf or the wider Middle East, but also on the international stage. In order to shed light upon this rivalry, Simon Mabon examines the different identity groups within Saudi Arabia and Iran (made up of various religions, ethnicities and tribal groupings), proposing that internal insecurity has an enormous impact on the wider ideological and geopolitical competition between the two. Focusing on the 'soft power' aspects of foreign policy formation (as opposed to 'hard power'), Mabon draws a nuanced picture of the diplomatic and international relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and the ways in which each state has sought to attain a leading position in both the Middle East and Muslim world. Mabon therefore looks at the ways in which each state has a tendency to provide support for identity groups that threaten the security of the other regime, such as Iran's support for the Shi'a of Saudi Arabia, or Saudi Arabia's attempt to strengthen ties with the ethnic Arabs in Iran. With analysis of this heated and often uneasy relationship and its impact on the wider Middle East, this book is vital for those researching international relations and diplomacy in the region. In The Wake Of The 1979 Iranian Revolution, Relations Between States In The Middle East Were Reconfigured And Reassessed Overnight. Amongst The Most-affected Was The Relationship Between Iran And Saudi Arabia. The Existence Of A New Regime In Tehran Led To Increasingly Vitriolic Confrontations Between These Two States, Often Manifesting Themselves In The Conflicts Across The Region, Such As Those In Lebanon And Iraq, And More Recently In Bahrain And Syria. In Order To Shed Light Upon This Rivalry, Simon Mabon Examines The Different Identity Groups Within Saudi Arabia And Iran (made Up Of Various Religions, Ethnicities And Tribal Groupings), Proposing That Internal Insecurity Has An Enormous Impact On The Wider Ideological And Geopolitical Competition Between The Two. With Analysis Of This Heated And Often Uneasy Relationship And Its Impact On The Wider Middle East, This Book Is Vital For Those Researching International Relations And Diplomacy In The Region. Introduction -- The Middle East In International Relations -- Arabian Gulf Vs Persian Gulf -- History, Politics And Narratives Of State-building -- Religious Incongruence -- Ethno-tribal Incongruence -- The Response Of The State -- Internal-external Security Dilemmas -- Conclusions. Simon Mabon. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [269]-290) And Index. COVER TITLE PAGE COPYRIGHT PAGE CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Maps The Middle East Iran Saudi Arabia INTRODUCTION 1. THE MIDDLE EAST IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 2. ARABIAN GULF VS PERSIAN GULF 3. HISTORY, POLITICS AND NARRATIVES OF STATE-BUILDING 4. RELIGIOUS INCONGRUENCE 5. ETHNO-TRIBAL INCONGRUENCE 6. THE RESPONSE OF THE STATE 7. INTERNAL-EXTERNAL SECURITY DILEMMAS NOTES BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, relations between Middle Eastern states were changed overnight. Amongst the most-affected was that between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The existence of a new Iranian regime led to vitriolic confrontations between the states, such as in Lebanon and Iraq and impacts upon wider geopolitical and ideological conflicts.