Empire 122. Iran & Saudi Arabia: The Rivalry that Split the Islamic World
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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.
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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.
