How the feud between Iran and Saudi Arabia has fueled conflicts in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

FRONTLINE traces how the 40-year rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia has fueled sectarian extremism across the Middle East for political gain. Correspondent Martin Smith travels to the battlegrounds of Syria, Iraq and Yemen to examine how the two powers have influenced the conflicts.

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Major support “Bitter Rivals: Iran and Saudi Arabia” is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding for this program is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts….(read more)

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The ongoing rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia is one of the most volatile and consequential conflicts in the Middle East. In the Frontline documentary “Bitter Rivals: Iran and Saudi Arabia, Part Two,” the complex and intertwined history of these two regional powers is explored in depth.

The roots of the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia can be traced back to the seventh century, when Islam split into two main branches – Sunni and Shia. Today, Iran is predominantly Shia, while Saudi Arabia is predominantly Sunni. This religious divide has fueled conflicts and tensions between the two countries for centuries.

The documentary delves into the modern-day geopolitical dynamics that have intensified the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia. From the Iranian revolution in 1979 to the ongoing proxy wars in Yemen and Syria, the two countries have found themselves on opposite sides of numerous regional conflicts, with devastating consequences for the people caught in the crossfire.

The documentary also explores the role of the United States in exacerbating the tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The U.S. has long been a key ally of Saudi Arabia, providing military support and weapons to the kingdom. However, the U.S. has also had a fraught relationship with Iran, especially since the Iranian revolution and the subsequent hostage crisis in 1979.

Despite their bitter rivalry, Iran and Saudi Arabia have occasionally found common ground on issues such as oil production and regional stability. However, these moments of cooperation are often short-lived, as both countries continue to vie for dominance in the Middle East and beyond.

Overall, “Bitter Rivals: Iran and Saudi Arabia, Part Two” provides a comprehensive and insightful look into the complex history and dynamics of the rivalry between these two regional powers. As the conflict continues to unfold, the documentary serves as a timely and essential resource for understanding the ongoing tensions and their far-reaching implications.