The "real" world?

Another one for the Get Religion analysts: today's Wall Street Journal (sub.req.) features an informative front-page story on the rise in anti-Shia fear, even fanaticism, in Bahrain and elsewhere in nations governed by Sunni Arabs. The story, by Andrew Higgins, explains the historical roots of the Sunni-Shia divide, and discusses at some length the theological concerns Sunnis have about rising Shia influence, particularly with Shia Iran ascendant in the region. And then we arrive at this paragraph:

Fear of Iran, of course, is anchored in real-world issues. Tehran's nuclear research push has caused widespread jitters and prompted Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to suggest they might start nuclear programs, too. Iran's involvement in Iraq since the toppling of Mr. Hussein's Sunni tyranny has stired real fear that Iraq will be led by a Shiite regime loyal to Tehran. [Emphasis mine -- RD]

Classic. It appears that religious concerns are not, in the view of this reporter, part of the "real world." It appears that to this reporter and his editors, religion is a sideshow to the real world. And we wonder why our elites -- and we who depend on them for news, information, analysis and leadership -- have so much trouble understanding how the Middle East works.