The Arab Shi'a Nexus: Understanding Iran's Influence in the Arab World.

SHI'AH -- Relations; ISLAMIC sects; IRANIAN religions; IRANIAN foreign relations; SAUDI Arabian foreign relations; RELIGION

The article talks about the status of the Arab Shi'a community which has been assumed to be Iranian influenced or explicitly backed by Iran. Topics covered include the implication of the execution of prominent Saudi Shi'i Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr on January 6, 2016 on Iran-Saudi Arabia relations, the issue of Arab Shi'a identity, and the status of Shi'a under Saddam Hussein's rule. Also discussed are the rising sectarianism around the Gulf and the stance of the government of the U.S. on Shi'a deportations.