In this article, the author raises the question: ‘What Happened to us?’ She tries to answer it by reviewing a set of historical facts that affected the Muslim world and brought it to where it is today. She argues that it is very important to understand the events of 1979 for those trying to figure out a better future for the Middle East. In addition, why the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran played such a crucial role in this unraveling. The author believes that by remaining on the current course, a better future will remain elusive, and the world’s understanding of the Middle East will remain incomplete. From invasions to coups and support for dictators, US actions have fed and aggravated local dynamics; but at the same time Saudi Arabia and Iran have also acted as agents for change, making decisions based on their interests and driving the dynamics. The author argues that this endless self-reinforcing loop of enmity cannot easily be broken but remains across the region.
