Calling Iranians “Descendants of the Magi” Is Actually a Compliment

by Shireen T. Hunter Recently, the chief mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh, said that Iranians are Majus. This is the Arab name for Iran’s Zoroastrians, who were the majority of the people at the time of the… Continue Reading

On the Eve of Hajj, Saudi and Iranian Officials Try to Define “Muslim”

by Derek Davison Top Iranian and Saudi officials traded barbs earlier this week over who is and isn’t a true Muslim, deepening the Middle East’s most prominent, longest-running, and deadliest diplomatic crisis. On September 6, Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Abdulaziz… Continue Reading

Stealth Sectarianism

by Sanam Naraghi Anderlini Not a week goes by without Saudi Arabia and Iran ratcheting up their war of words. In the latest round of colorful insults, the Iranian leader called Saudi leaders “puny satans” incapable of managing Hajj while the… Continue Reading

The Gulf Arab States Buy Influence in Comoros

By Emmaline Ivy Johnson and Giorgio Cafiero Comoros, an impoverished Indian Ocean archipelago-nation known for its post-colonial history of political instability, rarely enters a discussion about Middle Eastern affairs. Early this year, however, the Arab League’s southernmost member made headlines… Continue Reading

The International Community’s Failure in Yemen

By Joseph Cozza This week, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is visiting Riyadh amid renewed criticism of the ongoing Saudi-led military operations against the Al Saud ruler’s adversaries in Yemen and the international community’s failure to resolve the Yemeni Civil… Continue Reading