There is no room for religious compromise, diplomatic ties, or economic cooperation. Passionate about their theological interpretations, each nation sees the other as betraying the Muslim faith. The Saudi royal family believes in monarchical Wahhabism but Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini advocates autocratic theocracy. In the Arab Gulf region, Saudi Arabia champions the cause of the Sunnis while Iran that of the Shias. That centuries-old division over the prophet’s legitimate successor as caliph still manifests in the Islamic split between the Saudi Arabians and the Iranians. After the death of the prophet Mohammed in 632, Islam experienced a theological schism as devastating as the one that would later occur in Europe between Catholicism and Protestantism. Tensions between Middle Eastern countries arise as a proxy war between these two larger nations. Saudi Arabia and Iran Have a Contentious RelationshipĮvery Arab state’s friendship and enemies list stems from the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Let’s take a closer look at each of the relationships between these Middle Eastern countries. 11 Important Things to Know About Political Relationships in Middle Eastern Countries Kuwait, with a GDP of $297.59 billion, is fourth, and the United Arab Emirates comes in fifth with a GDP of $74,410. In fact, Qatar is the wealthiest country on Earth, with a GDP of $527.02 billion. News about Middle East current events typically focuses on these three nations.Īlthough the population of the Middle Eastern countries is small, with only 411 million people living in the region, Middle Eastern countries control 80 percent of the world’s oil reserves and have considerable wealth and influence. Maps of the Middle Eastern countries show that Saudi Arabia has the most territory, Iran has the second most, and Iraq ranks third. The highest populations of the Middle Eastern countries are in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran. They argue that a Middle East map should include Algeria, the Comoros Islands, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, and Tunisia. Other political scientists contend that a Middle East countries map should be larger, including more North African countries to differentiate the upper part of Africa from lower sub-Saharan Africa. Some political scientists believe that maps of the middle eastern countries should include Palestine, but Israel, the US, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Europe do not recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. However, many Middle Eastern political science experts dispute this list of Middle East countries. How many Middle Eastern countries are there? Officially, there are 17: Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Typically, a list of Middle Eastern countries will include Middle Eastern and North African countries. You can also observe the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Hormuz between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and the North African countries above sub-Saharan Africa. If you look at a map of the Middle East, you’ll notice the Middle East is part of Asia and the fertile crescent. Arab Nations Consider Israel an Outsider.UAE Is One of the Safest Middle Eastern Countries.Bahrain Has Broken with Iran and Qatar to Align with Saudi Arabia.Lebanon Has a Tentative Alliance with Saudi Arabia.Despite Historical Enmity, Egypt and Iran are Now Allies.Iraq and Saudi Arabia’s Relationship Is Slowly Improving.Iraq and Iran Have a Supportive Relationship.Saudi Arabia and Iran Have a Contentious Relationship.11 IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT POLITICAL RELATIONSHIPS IN MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES It’s important for investors to understand how the events in the Middle East news affect the region’s economy, currency, and investment opportunities. Many Middle Eastern countries experience alliances and dissolutions, war and peace, popular uprisings, and military coups. The Middle East is often characterized by profound uncertainties.
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