Structural Sources of Saudi–Iran Rivalry and Competition for the Sphere of Influence

Saudi Arabia and Iran are engaged in a strenuous competition the Middle East to protect promote their respective spheres of influence, each other’s detriment. This qualitative study traces structural sources this while taking cue from history. It argues that demise Saddam Hussein, Iraq’s plunging into civil war, Arab Spring leading violent movements Syria, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen accentuated Saudi–Iran region. Study finds rivalry lie at level can be understood by focusing upon aspiration for Muslim world leadership, religio-sectarianism, antithetical governance structure, Iranian nuclear program.