Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr

The Sunni vs. Shia schism, and why it matters 1,300 years later

It would be simplistic to say the sectarian outrage over Saudi Arabia’s execution of a Shia cleric was only religion-driven—and would ignore key history

Why would Saudi Arabia execute a Shia cleric? It’s all about America.

Saudi Arabia’s execution of a Shia cleric has dangerously escalated regional tensions. That’s just what it wants.