The common factor in all the recent developments in the Arab world is the possibility of change.

Until very recently, Arab dictators and their political systems have been able to stay in power for decades due to the idea instilled in the minds of the people that change was impossible.
But now the people realize that they can change these political systems, and the possibility of change has become the driving factor behind the uprisings in the Arab world.
It should also be noted that Iran’s Islamic Revolution has certainly had the greatest impact on the process of change.
Interestingly, the current wave of revolutions is taking place in the Middle East/North Africa region, which was regarded as the United States’ island of stability and where no one imagined that anti-Western uprisings would occur.
Thus, it could be said that external factors have played an important role, with Iran and the United States the two most influential players in current developments.
The double-standard policy adopted by the United States and its Western allies toward the people’s movements is another important aspect of the current developments in the Arab world.
For example, the West supports the right of Libyans to determine their own destiny and is even helping them through NATO military operations. But the same right is denied to Bahraini revolutionaries, and the U.S. even supports the military action being taken against them.
To respond to this challenge, the Westerners have begun accusing Iran of interfering in Bahrain’s internal affairs. The Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) is also resorting to the same rhetoric in an attempt to respond to the same challenge.
The West’s strategy in the Middle East is based on two objectives, namely, maintaining Israel’s security and a continuous flow of cheap oil to the West.
The Westerners know that any change in Bahrain or in the oil-rich Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia will cause political instability in the six PGCC countries, which could have an influence on the flow of oil. So they are making every effort to maintain the status quo.
As part of the Western strategy, baseless accusations are being made against Iran to divert attention from the unacceptable moves being made in pursuit of U.S. and Israeli interests.
Clearly, the current tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia has its roots in the same conflict of interests.
Iran’s political system is totally based on the will of the people, and as a result, Tehran can never be silent about people’s movements in regional countries, and especially the people’s movement in Bahrain, where the people are trying to express their legitimate demands.
But Saudi Arabia is on the opposite side, since its political system cannot tolerate any kind of democratic demands, whether they are coming from inside the country in the Eastern Province and other places or from Bahrain.
Iran wants change but the Saudis want anything but change.
Thus, a dispute has arisen between Iran and Saudi Arabia that is affecting relations between the two countries. But as long as Saudi Arabia maintains a military presence in Bahrain, relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will remain tense.
But hopefully, the Saudis will eventually realize that the tide of history is always on the side of change.