tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17149992.post2355531035816821454..comments2023-11-05T12:34:12.796+01:00Comments on Conflict and Compromise: The Islamist causeWim Roffelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950733237377413606noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17149992.post-18293072875389892452013-07-13T16:56:52.939+02:002013-07-13T16:56:52.939+02:00Well both Iran and Saudi Arabia are interested in ...Well both Iran and Saudi Arabia are interested in promoting and supporting Islamism and Islamist causes throughout the Muslim world. This much is true, but you have to understand this is precisely what makes them rivals. Sometimes they support the same factions (as in Bosnia), while at other times they support opposing factions (as in Iraq), but even when supporting the same faction they compete for influence with them. It is important to understand they are promoting distinct strands of Islamism and distinct models of Islamic state.<br /><br />The situation is similar to the one as existed between the USSR and China after the Sino-Soviet split. <br /><br />As far as the Sunni-Shia divide goes, it is also significant Saudi Arabia is also not a mainstream Sunni state, but is Wahhabist instead. Even so it is able to win influence in traditional Sunni countries, as is Iran. So I would agree that it is easily possible to overstate the importance of the Sunni-Shia split (except to Salafis).The Hero of Crappy Townhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08240189996638383467noreply@blogger.com