Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Rivalry that Unravelled the Middle East by Kim Ghattas (Paperback book)

A gripping and eye-opening account of the seismic rivalry that reshaped the modern Middle East.

In Black Wave, award-winning journalist and author Kim Ghattas traces the explosive rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran — two powerful Islamic nations on opposing sides of the Sunni-Shia divide. From the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the siege of Mecca to the wars, assassinations, and ideological battles that followed, Ghattas reveals how this bitter struggle unleashed a “black wave” of extremism, sectarian violence, and instability that continues to engulf the region today.

Drawing on years of reporting and deep access to key players, this meticulously researched book weaves together history, politics, and human stories to show how decisions made in Riyadh and Tehran rippled across Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and beyond — forever altering the lives of millions.

Shortlisted for the Cundhill History Prize 2020, Black Wave is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the roots of today’s Middle East conflicts, the rise of militant Islam, and the forces still shaping global politics.

Blistering, riveting, and profoundly moving — a masterful work of narrative non-fiction.