Why not Iran?
Discussion
Because it's not on the periphery, and it's being fought at the same time. It's the stronghold of a major sect.
Ok, I can see how they might not qualify as peripheral. The margnalization of the shia both internally and externally make me wonder if they're exception is worth looking deeper into. Maybe not 🤷🏻♂️
Shia are marginalized for modern politics in sunni majority countries, imo. Not for their beliefs. They have been there since 3rd century AH, with strong presence from different factions (buwayhids, fatimids, safavids later). Historically, Twelver Shia, however, never were in power in the golden age of Islam.
AFAIK, twelver Shia never had political power until the 10th century AH through the Safavids. But that's because the sect's scholars chose no politics until Imam Mahdi is out from his hiding.
"كل راية قبل المهدي هي راية ضلال"
As some of their scholars claimed.