Much of the conflict in the Middle East is chiefly between two main branches of Islam; Sunni and Shi’ite. Sunni is the vast majority: the key states are Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. The Shi’ite sect endures predominately in Iran, which is now a Shi’ite theocracy. Iran’s current leaders practice a more extreme form of Shia Islam than has existed in the past. They seek to export this to the rest of the Middle East.

Israel / Palestinian conflict in the 21st century is less important relative to other Middle Eastern affairs. Israel is forming alliances with Sunni states, who feel equally threatened by Iran. The tiny amount of multiculturalism in the Middle East exists within Israel due to their tolerance of Muslims and Christians. Christians, in particular, are being driven out of other Middle Eastern countries. Gays in Israel are a celebrated movement, whereas the surrounding countries kill these same people.