scholarly journals The Rising Shi’a Crescent: Iranian Smart Power and Implications for the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Persian Gulf

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Paunic
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Islamic Republic ◽  
Smart Power ◽  
East Central ◽  
Hard Power ◽  
Islamic Republic Of Iran ◽  
The Persian Gulf ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
The Arab Spring

The circumstances of the American war in Iraq, the Arab Spring, and the international fight against Da’esh have provided an opportunity for the Islamic Republic of Iran to consolidate its power in the Middle East, as foretold by King Abdullah II of Jordan in his coining of the phrase “Shi’a crescent” in 2004. Iran’s successful resurgence can be attributed to its effective use of “smart power,” or the combination of soft and hard power tactics. Iran’s hard power, in the form of Shi’a militias and proxies, is supported with soft power tactics. These include Iran’s export of the ideals of the Revolution and its model of an Islamic Republic, its role as leader of the global Shi’ite community, and its investment in cultural diplomacy across the Middle East as well as its renewed engagement with the West.

scholarly journals The Prospect of the Relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Saudi Arabia: Plausible Scenarios

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Faisal M. Al- Shogairat ◽  
Vladimir Yurtaev
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Persian Gulf ◽  
General Situation ◽  
Islamic Republic ◽  
National Interests ◽  
Islamic Republic Of Iran ◽  
The Persian Gulf ◽  
The Relationship

Islamic republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia are identified as two effective countries in sub-region of the Persian Gulf, that the radius of their influence covers whole great region of the Middle East. The relationship between the two countries have been full of tension during last decade, and during this period changes of political authorities of these countries were not able to improve this relationship. The cause is the resources of foreign policy behavior of the two countries, historical backgrounds of each country, as well as conflict of interest of each in the region of the Persian Gulf and the Middle East. The most competition atmosphere between the two countries is inside the three climacteric countries of Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Accordingly, the prospect of bilateral relations is a consequence of their behaviors in the region and also their dealings with these three countries. Three scenarios presented regarding the two countries' foreign policy in the region can be discussed: efforts to establish governments, attempts to maintain political structures of collapsing countries, and finally, continuation of current trends that may lead to disintegration of these climacteric countries. By studying these scenarios and drivers, blockers and their wild cards, this paper considers the second scenario best for both countries, which is consistent with their national interests, and with the region’s history and general situation.

scholarly journals SYRIA: TERRORISM AS A CATALYST FOR PROXY WAR – THE CASE OF THE CIVIL WAR

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 22-38
Author(s):  
Patrycja Patrycja
Keyword(s):  
Civil War ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Smart Power ◽  
Terrorist Organizations ◽  
Regional Powers ◽  
Hard Power ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
Proxy War ◽  
General Meaning

The general meaning of “proxy war” is the pursuit of one’s interests exploiting other actors. Measures to this end can be implemented in two ways: through hard and soft power. As far as countering the activities of terrorist organizations is concerned, it can be seen that self-interest is placed above efforts against terrorism. The civil war in Syria and the activities of terrorist organizations have become grounds for greater involvement of global powers in the struggle for gaining influence in the country. This paper aims to show the actions of global and regional powers and other state actors taken in an attempt to assert power and influence under the guise of the fight against terrorism. The paper is divided into two parts: theoretical and practical. The theoretical part discusses aspects related to Josepha Nye’s concept of “smart power” and the notions of “proxy war” and “proxy activities”. The practical part discusses the activities of international actors pursuing their interests through official involvement in the fight against Daesh in the Syrian territory. Keywords: proxy war, Middle East, soft power, hard power, Daesh, Syria

Shia Factor in Current Policies of Islamic Republic of Iran

2012 ◽  
pp. 24-32
Author(s):  
V. Kurshakov
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Persian Gulf ◽  
Islamic Republic ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
The World ◽  
Islamic Republic Of Iran ◽  
Post War ◽  
The Persian Gulf ◽  
Radical Organizations

Special emphasis in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) is laid on the Shia factor. Its role increased significantly after the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq was overthrown in 2003, and also as a result of both strengthening of Shiite radical organizations (“Hezbollah”), and a common rise of Shiite Muslims' civil consciousness in the Middle East during that period. As the biggest Shia country in the world, Iran lends support to groups of its adherents in the Persian Gulf region. Without its contribution, the post-war settlement process in Iraq may become much more complicated. Besides, Iran is bound by long-lasting cooperation ties with Bashar al-Assad Alawite regime in Syria. The whole range of issues is the focus of the author's attention in the article.

scholarly journals KHOMEINI’S POLITICAL-RELIGIOUS APPROACH OF THE ‘IRANIAN NATION’

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-54
Author(s):  
Bogdana Todorova
Keyword(s):  
Political Life ◽  
Islamic Republic ◽  
East Central ◽  
Transit Country ◽  
The Social ◽  
Islamic Republic Of Iran ◽  
Geographical Position ◽  
The Government ◽  
Democratic Principles ◽  
Main Influence

The geographical position of Iran as a transit country between the Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus, makes the Islamic Republic of Iran a new geostrategic factor with main influence to the future of the Islamic world and international world system. The Welayat-e-Faqih imposes serious changes in the government and society. Renovation of Islamic dogmas and their adaptation to changing conditions of the social-political life is the challenge to the Shiite clergy, who firmly follow the practices established by Imam Khomeini. His revolution carries not only the spirit of the Iranian modernization but also the pathos of social democracy. The “Theo-democratic” government is based on both the Islamic and democratic principles, and it can be said that due to the ideas of Ayatollah Khomeini, a unique new project – the national-Iranian project is arguably developed. There are the three aims of this project: the territorial integrity, national sovereignty and national prosperity of the country, intended to protect Muslims and establish Islamic government based on the Shi’ite principles. The Islamic revolution is an important event worldwide. It makes us rethink the current relation religion – politics, giving the first serious notice of taking political power by Islam.

scholarly journals Psychiatry in Iran

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
pp. 10-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Sadeghi ◽  
Gholamreza Mirsepassi
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Persian Gulf ◽  
Population Growth Rate ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Islamic Republic ◽  
Land Area ◽  
The Caspian Sea ◽  
Islamic Republic Of Iran ◽  
The Persian Gulf

The Islamic Republic of Iran is located in the Middle East between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. Iran's total land area is 1 648 000 km2. Its total population in 2003 was about 68 920 000 (UNICEF, 2003). The population growth rate is 1.41%. Of the total population, 60.4% live in urban and 39.6% in rural areas (Yasamy et al, 2001).

scholarly journals Review of Discourse Components of Islamic Republic of Iran in the Middle East

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Reza Abedi Gonabad ◽  
Ebrahim Fayaz ◽  
Ahmad Naderi
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Political Islam ◽  
Political Protest ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Islamic Republic ◽  
Data Description ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Social ◽  
Islamic Republic Of Iran ◽  
And Function

With the victory of the Islamic Revolution, some shift in paradigm or the shift of discourse is observed in Iran. Islamic Republic System of Iran that was replaced instead of Pahlavi Regime took different discourse, behavior and function practically in addition to domestic policy at the level of foreign policy at the level of the Middle East or West of Asia and North of Africa and this approach was definitely different from the past. The discourse had a central indication of jurisprudential political Islam as the social and political protest against national Iranian radical otherness, western quasi-modernism, secularism and militarism of Pahlavism Discourse, which was created by the friction and dialectic between dominant discourses of similarity to west and discourses different from the west. In this study, 4 components and indices of anti-arrogance Islamism, monist Shiism (establishment of the Islamic Ummah), independence and anti-order orientation based on supporting Axis of Resistance against Axis of Compromise are explained as discourse components of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Middle East. The data analysis method in this study is mainly based on qualitative methods. Moreover, this study has used data description and analysis using documentary references and methods and through referring to the library and internet.

scholarly journals Conflicts in the Middle East: prospects for escalation in the context of general regional instability in the 2020s

2021 ◽  
pp. 120-132
Author(s):  
A. Malashenko
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Arab Spring ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
The United States ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Significant Extent ◽  
Gulf States ◽  
The Persian Gulf ◽  
The Arab Spring ◽  
Made In

The article analyses Middle Eastern conflicts in the early 2020s. The main focus is on the situation in Syria, Libya, and Yemen, three Middle Eastern conflicts that are progressing, with no solution in sight. These conflicts motivated by social, economic and political reasons became a progression of those protests that have started in 2011 and have been called “The Arab Spring”. These “revolutions” have been promoted by Islamist movements and groups whose activity became one of key factors of perpetual tensions in the region. So far, attempts by conflict parties to find consensual solutions have remained rather unsuccessful. Positive resolution of actual and potential conflicts in the Greater Middle East to a significant extent still depends on external regional and non-regional actors, such as Russia, Turkey, Iran, and the United States. However, each actor involved in these conflicts and in conflict management pursues its own goals. These actors try to retain their positions and influence in these Middle Eastern countries and in the region as a whole. According to the forecast made in the article, more conflicts in the region may be foreseen (in Iraq, the Persian Gulf states etc.) that could form the next wave of the “Arab Spring”.

scholarly journals The Role of Iran’s «Soft Power» in Confronting Iranophobia

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 216-238
Author(s):  
S. M. Mirmohammad Sadeghi ◽  
R. Hajimineh
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Public Diplomacy ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
American Foreign Policy ◽  
International System ◽  
Islamic Republic ◽  
Domestic Sphere ◽  
Islamic Republic Of Iran

«Soft power» is a set of activities designed by a government or regional and international actors aimed to influence external public opinion, promote external image or attract support for a particular policy, which is implemented through all the available tools and new technologies. The non-governmental actors also play an effective and important role in this diplomacy. Considering the public diplomacy and soft power of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a deliberate and conscious approach can be of great importance in the country's grand strategies that will strengthen national interests in the domestic sphere and influence them at regional and global levels. The article analyzes the role of Iran’s soft power in confronting Iranophobia. The study is aimed at presenting a theoretical definition of public diplomacy and soft power in foreign policy and international system, and then examines its role in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran with an emphasis on confronting Iranophobia.The authors answer the research question: “What is the role of soft power in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in confronting Iranophobia?” The research method is descriptive-analytical based on historical evidence, documents, and analytical issues of theorists, authors, and media being expressed in the theoretical framework of soft power. The paper is based on a synthesis of Stephen Walt’s “balance of threat” theory with Alexander Wendt’s social constructivism to explain the Iranian “threat” in American foreign policy.The findings of this research show that without the use of force and disturbing the balance in the international relations, using a variety of tools and instruments the Iranian public diplomacy and soft power might be effective to reduce the global and regional atmosphere of Iranophobia and undermine anti-Iranian solidarity.

scholarly journals Problematyka władzy międzynarodowej

2018 ◽  
pp. 15-34
Author(s):  
Czesław Maj
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Smart Power ◽  
Effective Power ◽  
Domestic Relations ◽  
Hard Power ◽  
International Power ◽  
Fundamental Categories ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

One of the fundamental categories of general sociology concerns power. Regardless of differences in interpretation, power can be defined as the dependence between subordinator and subordinated. This relation is unidirectional. When discussing influence, this property is significant, as otherwise it could be reciprocal, or an influence could be exerted by many other entities that are not bound by the relationship of subordination. The nature of international relations is too specific to allow a simple transfer of power-related phenomena from the realm of domestic relations. One can indicate the presence of delegated power, resulting from the mutual assignment of subordination rights to international decision- making bodies. The processes of international power are divided into procedures of hard power, soft power and smart power, the latter signifying the manifestation of effective power, making use of the mechanisms of the former two. It is also important to take into account the specificity of the legitimization of international power and manifestations of accountability. Also not without significance is the capacity for the implementation of international power, equipped with the relevant enforcement instruments.

Medical Diplomacy and Iranian Foreign Policy

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Ali Bagheri Dolatabadi ◽  
Mehran Kamrava
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Islamic Republic ◽  
The Future ◽  
Regional Influence ◽  
Medical Advances

Abstract Despite numerous studies of Iran in recent decades, the country’s concerted efforts to expand its medical diplomacy have been largely overlooked by experts and observers alike. This is despite the fact that the Islamic Republic has sought to employ medical diplomacy as a viable tool for expanding its soft power for a number of years. Over the course of the last two decades, in fact, Iranian authorities and health professionals have considered their medical advances to greatly add value to the country’s overall diplomatic profile. This article examines three basic questions: first, how has Iran used medical diplomacy to increase its regional influence in the Middle East? second, what are the factors that have contributed to the country’s success in this area? And, third, what are likely to be the regional consequences of Iran’s enhanced medical diplomacy in the future? The answers to these questions will present an overall picture of the current and future depth and voracity of Iran’s soft power.

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