Jan 8, 2016
David Waldman brings us a brain bootcamp Friday — Sorry, no Donald Trump — today’s challenge requires open tabs to Wikipedia and Google Maps, so buckle down:
KITM explores the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East. With the input of listeners to the show, David looks into the history of the region including the geographical, petro-economic, familial-ancestral origins of the multiple crises, conflicts and tragedies.
Saudi Arabia has severed ties with Iran, and expelled its diplomats. Iran’s embassy in Yemen has been hit with airstrikes, which Iran has said was Saudi Arabia’s intention. Iranian government banned its citizens from making the annual trip to Mecca. Accusations between the two continue to multiply. Tensions have spread to Pakistan as they debate “Saudi-isation”. David discusses why Saudi Arabia escalated the Middle East’s sectarian conflict, and the many reasons behind the feud other than the Sunni-Shiite divide.
Of course, we have a lot to do with this, even as 15 Blackwater mercenaries, including their commander were killed there last month.