Perhaps Sen. John Kerry does have an advantage after all over President Bush in understanding the complex political issues of the Middle East.

New research by Burke’s Peerage reveals that Mr. Kerry is the only presidential candidate in U.S. history who has genealogical descent from Muslims, Jews and Christians.

“Senator Kerry ... is a virtual walking United Nations,” says Harold Brooks-Baker, publishing director of Burke’s.

Mr. Kerry is kinsman of the Shi’ite shahs of Persia (the most famous was Shah Abbas I, who reigned from 1587 to 1629), as well as the Muslim kings of Tunisia, all of whom — Democratic presidential nominee included — descend from the prophet Muhammad.