A Saudi-Iran Rivalry or a Sunni-Shia Conflict?

How Middle East Governments Are Exploiting an Ancient Religious Divide

The Sunni kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Shia theocracy of Iran have evolved into the de-facto religious superpowers of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia’s recent execution of a prominent Shia cleric sparked a new round of tension between the two rival countries. We talk with a Middle East expert to help us understand the roots of this conflict and what the latest fallout means for the region. Featuring Joshua LandisDirector of the Center of Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma.

The Surprising Relevance of Ancient Desert Monastics

What in the world would monks and nuns who lived in the Egyptian desert centuries ago have to teach the modern world?  Well, Sister Joan Chittister, herself a beloved Benedictine nun and author of the new book, In God’s Holy Light, looked into the writings of these early monastics and found lots of relevant messages–including insights on immigration, racism, and even capitalism.


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