The Arab world is watching in disbelief -- and growing concern -- the recent spate of undiplomatic mudslinging between Syria and Saudi Arabia. Damascus and Riyadh have had tense relations for some time now, but the latest outburst, initiated by Damascus, left many looking towards Iran as the most plausible explanation for the renewed acrimony between these two Arab countries. It all began when Farouk al-Shara, the current Syrian vice president and former long-time foreign minister, gave a speech at Damascus University. Unexpectedly, al-Shara launched a scathing critique of Saudi Arabia's influence in the Arab world, describing the Kingdom as being "virtually paralyzed" and blaming it for the infighting between Palestinians. The Saudis were livid, and many observers were baffled. "Is Syria suffering a serious deficiency in political skills, diplomatic subtlety and the essential art of managing international relations?" wondered Jamil Theyabi in the daily Al Hayat. To many, including Theyabi, the fuel for Shara's verbal fire came from Tehran.
Syrian-Saudi Rift: Is Iran Pulling the Strings?
