Iran's Middle East Allies & Enemies: Oil, Power, 1400-Year Conflict

• Middle East alliances are complex, driven by a 1400-year-old Sunni-Shia conflict, oil, money, and power, with warnings of potential WWIII.
• Iran's allies include Turkey (due to oil/gas needs, anti-Israel stance), Lebanon (Hezbollah proxy), Iraq (Shia majority, electricity dependence), and Yemen's Houthi rebels.
• Key enemies are Saudi Arabia (Prince Mohammed bin Salman), Syria (Sunni extremists), Azerbaijan (pro-Israel despite Shia majority), UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain (seeking US protection/bases).
• Countries like Egypt, Oman, and Pakistan adopt a middle path, balancing regional influence, economic needs, and internal demographics.
• The core tension stems from the Sunni-Shia divide, with Sunnis (80% of Muslims) dominant in Saudi Arabia and most Arab nations, while Shias are majority in Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan.