Iran and Saudi Arabia in the Age of Trump

Iran and Saudi Arabia appear fated to be rivals. Their controlled competition in the 1970s, organised around common threats, gave way to intense rivalry after the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Over the ensuing four decades there have been ups and downs, but the constant feature has been competition. The 2011 Arab Spring added a new dimension to previous disputes, turning the traditional Iran–Saudi rivalry into a fierce regional confrontation.