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

This podcast episode interviews Kim Ghattas, author of *Black Wave*, about the seismic impact of 1979 on the Middle East. The discussion traces the interconnected events of the Iranian Revolution, the siege of Mecca, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, arguing that these events created a "year zero" for the region's current geopolitical landscape. Ghattas details how the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia, fueled by religious and political factors, profoundly impacted the region's culture and politics, exemplified by changes in women's lives and the rise of extremism. The interview also explores the role of the US and the unintended consequences of its involvement in the region, particularly in Afghanistan.