Dealing with Iran: Learn from the catastrophe of Iraq

Dealing with Iran: Learn from the catastrophe of Iraq

BY DILIP HIRO (World View)

8 August 2008

As the first Shia Islamic state on the planet, the Islamic Republic of Iran enjoys fervent loyalty of most Shia in the Muslim world. In particular, Shias in the Middle East and Afghanistan hold Iran's theocratic regime in high esteem. Shias are 60 per cent of the population in Iraq and 65 per cent in Bahrain, where the US Fifth Fleet is based. In Kuwait, smaller in area than New Jersey, Shias are 25 percent of the population. Shias, though only 10 per cent of Saudi nationals, are concentrated in the oil-rich Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

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