Cold War in the Islamic World: Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Struggle for Supremacy

Description

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. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Contents Spelling and Transliteration Preface Prologue 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 Détente 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 Notes Select Bibliography Index