"The emergence of Iran's power in the region has trapped most Arab regimes between a rock and a hard place as they seek to avoid choosing between two evils: Israel and Iran.
So far, pro-Western Arab governments have said little about Tehran's nuclear program as they watch its political influence spreading across the region. After all, Iran is a Muslim country seeking to end Israel's technological monopoly in the region and standing up to Western pressure -- a defiance lacking in Arab countries since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq toppled Saddam Hussein's regime in April 2003.
Middle East pundits warn against betting on Iran's cultural and religious identity as a deterrent from succeeding in winning sympathy from the populations in the overwhelming Sunni Arab region.
They say that being non-Arab and Shiite does not necessarily mean Iran will not find support from the Arab masses, if only for defying the West in advancing its nuclear technology, supporting anti-Israeli resistance movements in Lebanon and Palestine and creating a balance of power with Israel."
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