ABSTRACT

Iraq and Saudi Arabia are neighboring countries that became independent, self-governing entities at about the same time, a century ago. Their people are Arabic-speaking Muslims. Both are major producers of crude oil and were founding members of the League of Arab States. For decades, they shared an antipathy to Israel. Some of their tribal populations still straddle the border. And yet they are more different than alike, divided by history, culture, political philosophy, and differences within the Islamic faith. Two recent books by American scholars show how, because of those differences, the two countries have been enemies and rivals as often as they have been friends and partners.

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