So , for Washington , Iran would no longer be a spoiler state , but one that could play a positive role in stabilizing the region and " help put out the fires " . Saudi Arabia , however , remains implacably at loggerheads with Iran . Its rigid Wahhabi Sunni Muslim clerical leaders treat Shi'ites as heretics , not far short of how Islamic State jihadis regard Shi’ites as idolaters to be exterminated life.die.deathcausedbyviolentevents . The Saudis have been badly rattled by Iran 's success in forging a Shi'ite axis stretching from Iraq through Syria to Lebanon , where Tehran 's paramilitary ally Hezbollah is also the strongest political force . Riyadh says Iran is also behind unrest in neighboring Bahrain , which has a Shi'ite majority , as well as the insurgency of Shi'ite Houthis in Yemen , where the Saudis launched an air war last year .

At a news conference after the meeting , Kirill said the discussions were " open " and " brotherly " , while Francis described them as " very sincere " . " We hope our meeting contributes to the re - establishment of this unity wished for by God , " their joint declaration said . The document called on the world community to defend Christians , saying that " in many countries of the Middle East and North Africa whole families , villages and cities of our brothers and sisters in Christ are being completely exterminated life.die.deathcausedbyviolentevents . " " Their churches are being barbarously ravaged and looted , their sacred objects profaned , their monuments destroyed . " At the scene : BBC 's Oleg Boldyrev

At a news conference after the meeting , Kirill said the discussions were " open " and " brotherly " , while Francis described them as " very sincere " . " We hope our meeting contributes to the re - establishment of this unity wished for by God , " their joint declaration said . The document called on the world community to defend Christians , saying that " in many countries of the Middle East and North Africa whole families , villages and cities of our brothers and sisters in Christ are being completely exterminated life.die.na . " " Their churches are being barbarously ravaged and looted , their sacred objects profaned , their monuments destroyed . " At the scene : BBC 's Oleg Boldyrev

Three specific points illustrate why Americans see Trump as the problem : 1 ) Trump has trouble working with people beyond his base . In Saddam Hussein 's Iraq that might work when opponents can be thrown in jail or exterminated life.die.na . In the United States that wo n't fly : presidents must build bridges within and beyond their core support to resolve challenges . Without alliances , a president ca n't get approval to get things done .

Three specific points illustrate why Americans see Trump as the problem : 1 ) Trump has trouble working with people beyond his base . In Saddam Hussein 's Iraq that might work when opponents can be thrown in jail or exterminated life.die.deathcausedbyviolentevents . In the United States that wo n't fly : presidents must build bridges within and beyond their core support to resolve challenges . Without alliances , a president ca n't get approval to get things done .