Categories Blogs International News Briefs for Monday, August 24, 2026 Post author By Mike Nova Post date August 24, 2026 We bring you some of the top international news stories compiled by Democracy Now on Monday, August 24, 2026. ← Geopolitical competition between Shia-led Iran and Sunni-led Saudi Arabia – AI Mode The geopolitical competition between Shia-led Iran and Sunni-led Saudi Arabia is a multifaceted struggle for Middle Eastern hegemony, regional security, and leadership of the Islamic world. Often described as a “Middle Eastern Cold War,” this dynamic combines deep historical, ideological, and strategic divisions. [1, 2, 3, 4] The Core Drivers of the Rivalry Religious Identity: Saudi Arabia positions itself as the global anchor of conservative Sunni Islam, safeguarding Islam’s two holiest sites in Mecca and Medina. Conversely, Iran represents the primary global power base for Shia Muslims, projecting its influ → RT by @mikenov: RT by @mikenov: Data reported to the #FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program shows 2024 to 2025 marked the largest year-to-year decline in violent crime rates since FBI estimations began in 1936. The 2025 murder rate of 4.1 per 100,000 inhabitants is tied with 1955 and 1956 for the lowest murder rate. Read more at: https://ow.ly/ITfX50ZEOOC
