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this is To the Point. Sectarianism renews divisions in the Middle East.

Hello again, I'm Armin Al-Ne, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues of Americans care about most.

By executing a Shiite cleric last weekend, the Sunni nation of Saudi Arabia created a martyr.

It also inflamed its dangerous rivalry with

Shiite Iran. Hardliners in both countries are now using sectarian differences to pursue

political goals. Stability in the Middle East is at stake, along with the Iran nuclear deal and

end to Syria's civil war and defeating the Islamic State. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia violate human rights and make war on their neighbors.

Should the U.S. choose one over the other or look for a middle ground?

Today's talking point, advice to families being rounded up for deportation, don't open the door.

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Hello again.

We're going on only back with To the Point.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are using religious differences to inflame their deep-seated

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