Empire 122. Iran & Saudi Arabia: The Rivalry that Split the Islamic World
57 snips
Feb 13, 2024 Kim Ghattas, author of "Black Wave" and a Middle East expert, delves into the complex rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia that reshaped the Islamic world post-1979. She discusses her experiences growing up in Beirut during the civil war, illustrating the personal impact of these geopolitical tensions. The conversation highlights the birth of anti-American sentiment in Iran, the power shifts from the Iranian Revolution, and the ideological clash between Shi'ism and wahhabism, particularly in the context of Pakistan.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Childhood in War-Torn Beirut
- Kim Ghattas grew up in Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War, living near the dividing line.
- Her family remained in their dangerous neighborhood for 15 years, experiencing bombings and sniper fire.
1979: A Turning Point
- The year 1979 marked a turning point in the Middle East with the Iranian Revolution, the siege of Mecca, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
- These events, combined with the rise of religious extremism, significantly altered the region's geopolitical landscape and cultural fabric.
Sunni-Shia Rivalry: A Modern Phenomenon
- The narrative that Sunni-Shia conflict has existed for millennia is inaccurate; their rivalry intensified after 1979.
- This rivalry fueled religious extremism and significantly reshaped regional geopolitics and societal norms.
