Cold War in the Islamic World

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.

The foundational schism between Sunni Arabia and Shia Persia manifests itself in geopolitics, as Kingdom and Islamic Republic compete.

"The contemporary great game playing out bloodily between oil-fired theocracies in Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran is the subject of Dilip Hiro's latest book. He tells the story with relish."--The Financial Times

"The book has a racy pace and is rich in reportage . . . Hiro marshals an enormous amount of fact and anecdote as he recounts the manner in which regional and global events unfold . . . a rich tapestry."-- Financial Express

"Ambitious, impressive, original, and important. Hiro explains the roots of the current rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia in historical terms, examining how developments in the recent past have shaped their differences and similarities"-- Mehran Kamrava, Professor, Georgetown University's School
of Foreign Service, Qatar, and author of Inside the Arab State

"An excellent bookEL extremely engaging. Hiro explores the various geopolitical aspects of the Saudi-Iranian rivalry since 1979, weaving startling and revealing anecdotes into the analysis."-- Kristian Coates-Ulrichsen, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, and author of First World War
in the Middle East

"Eminent historian and prolific author [Dilip] Hiro... focuses on a pertinent crucible of roiling tension in the region... An important study for understanding the roots of current tensions [between Saudi Arabia and Iran]."--Kirkus Reviews

"Hiro is a wonderful raconteur . . . few have told the story of tensions between Riyadh and Tehran quite as well as him."--LSE Middle East Centre Blog

"One comes away from Dilip Hiro's new book... with a heightened appreciation for the complexities of politics in the Islamic world. It is a world where geopolitics and religion intersect in a struggle for power and survival among Islamic regimes."--New York Journal of Books

"Hiro has written a detailed and well-researched history of the Saudi and Iranian relationship... [with] painstaking detail and nuanced portrayal of the complex history of these nations, their relationship and its consequences for the region and the world at large."--Counterpunch

"[A] monumental study."--Business Standard

"Dilip Hiro is one of the most prolific scholars of the Middle East, and there is little that escapes his notice. In this volume, he takes an in-depth look at the new cold war that is brewing in the region . . . a welcome addition to the literature."--iSurvival

"[Cold War in the Islamic World], based on Hiro's years of research and travels as a journalist, is terse in reporting historical details with disciplined focus in motivations. The book is an easier read for those who closely follow news events from the Middle East in recent years though experienced
scholars are sure to appreciate his thoughtful juxtaposition of events that underscore patterns."--YaleGlobal

"Hiro leaves no stone unturned in this account of Middle Eastern conflicts revolving around the Iranian-Saudi rivalry... he treats the subject deeply and thoroughly."--Foreign Affairs

"Iran and Saudi Arabia anchor the sweeping text, which ranges from Pakistan to Egypt and detours as far back as the seventh-century Sunni-Shi'a divide... Hiro's mix of lively writing and serious detail should draw in readers, nonspecialists in particular, with any interest in the subject."--CHOICE
Reviews

"A suitable introduction to the Iranian-Saudi relations for someone wanting to go beyond the headlines... Trying to capture the vast sweep of this relationship in a single text is a monumental task... To Hiro's credit, his account is fairly balanced. The research is also impressive in its
breadth."--Middle East Journal

"A suitable introduction to the Iranian-Saudi relations for someone wanting to go beyond the headlines ... Trying to capture the vast sweep of this relationship in a single text is a monumental task ... To Hiro's credit, his account is fairly balanced. The research is also impressive in its
breadth."--Middle East Journal