Reza Aslan says, "It has always been extremely easy to inject God into political conflicts... But if we are to find an equitable end to such intractable conflicts as the one between Israel and Palestine, we must learn to actively strip them of their religious connotations. Otherwise, we will never stop fighting them."

Political power has been a divisive experience for Islamist parties, but it may also greatly expand opportunities in the region, says CFR's Reza Aslan.

Writing in The Atlantic, Reza Aslan analyzes recent revelations in WikiLeaks cables that expose an inner conflict between more established, conservative elements in Iranian government and an Ahmadinejad that advocated concessions on nuclear programs and democratic freedoms.

Reza Aslan says the question isn't whether Islam promotes democracy, but rather do Muslims promote democracy, remarking that there are some who do and some who don't, as is the case with followers of every religious tradition on earth."

Reza Aslan, author of 'No God but God,' discusses how the uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa influences the balance of power in the region, and whether it is benefiting Iran.