Terror management theory views inter-group conflict as a consequence of the threat posed by conceptions of reality different from one’s own to the protection from existential anxiety provided by one’s cultural worldview. A broad overview of terror management theory and research will be provided, followed by a discussion of the implications of this perspective for understanding current conflicts between the United States and the Islamic world and between liberal and conservative factions within the United States. Recent research on factors that promote and mitigate political extremism in both the United States and Iran will be discussed.