The Saudi-Iranian rivalry and the future of Middle East security / W. Andrew Terrill.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Terrill, W. Andrew

Contributor:

Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute

Series:

SSI

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Saudi Arabia--Foreign relations--Iran.

Saudi Arabia.

Iran--Foreign relations--Saudi Arabia.

Iran.

Persian Gulf States--Relations.

Persian Gulf States.

Persian Gulf States--Foreign relations--United States.

United States--Foreign relations--Persian Gulf States.

United States.

International relations.

Diplomatic relations.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiii, 78 pages)

Other Title:

Future of Middle East security

Place of Publication:

Carlisle, Pa. : Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College, [2011]

Summary:

Saudi Arabia and Iran have often behaved as serious rivals for influence in the Middle East and especially the Gulf area since at least Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution and the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. While both nations define themselves as Islamic, the differences between their foreign policies could hardly be more dramatic. In most respects, Saudi Arabia is a regional status quo power, while Iran often seeks revolutionary change throughout the Gulf area and the wider Middle East with varying degrees of intensity. Saudi Arabia also has strong ties with Western nations, while Iran views the United States as its most dangerous enemy. Perhaps the most important difference between the two nations is that Saudi Arabia is a conservative Sunni Muslim Arab state, while Iran is a Shi'ite state whose senior politicians often view their country as the defender and natural leader of Shi'ites throughout the region. The rivalry between Riyadh and Tehran has been reflected in the politics of a number of regional states where these two powers exercise influence including Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Bahrain and others. The 2011 wave of pro-democracy and anti-regime protests known as the "Arab Spring" introduced new concerns for both Saudi Arabia and Iran to consider within the framework of their regional priorities. The Saudi-Iranian rivalry is therefore likely to intensify as a central feature in the Middle Eastern security landscape that reaches into both the Gulf region and the Arab-Israeli theater. This is a reality that will touch upon the interests of the United States in a number of situations. In many instances, Saudi opposition to Iran will serve U.S. interests, but this will not occur under all circumstances. Saudi Arabia remains a deeply anti-revolutionary state with values and priorities which sometimes overlap with those of Washington on matters of strategic interest and often conflict over matters of reform and democracy for other Middle Eastern states. Additionally, in seeking to support Middle Eastern stability, the United States must be prepared to mediate between Riyadh and Baghdad, and thereby help to limit Iranian efforts to insert itself into Iraqi politics.

Contents:

Introduction

The background of Saudi-Iranian relations

Saudi-Iranian competition in the Gulf area

The March 2011 Saudi-led intervention in Bahrain and the Iranian response

Saudi Arabia and the Syrian-Iranian relationship

Saudi-Iranian competition in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon

The Saudi-Iranian rivalry and the future of Iraq

Conclusions.

Notes:

Title from title screen (viewed on Dec. 21, 2011).

"December 2011."

Includes bibliographical references (pages 63-78).

Electronic reproduction. [Place of publication not identified] : HathiTrust Digital Library, 2011.

Other Format:

Print version: Terrill, W. Andrew. Saudi-Iranian rivalry and the future of Middle East security

Online version: Terrill, W. Andrew. Saudi-Iranian rivalry and the future of Middle East security.

ISBN:

1584875186

9781584875185

OCLC:

768995397

Access Restriction:

Use copy Restrictions unspecified