Iran's Regional Policy: Between Radicalism and Pragmatism
2007; Columbia University; Volume: 60; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
0022-197X
Autores Tópico(s)Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East
ResumoThe Islamic Revolution of 1979 was a major turning point in modern history of Iran, with reverberations far beyond its borders. Twenty-eight years on, new regime still searching for an appropriate approach to cope with challenge of governance while it contends with domestic disenchantment, perpetual struggle for power between competing tendencies and grave regional and international challenges. (1) Since mid-1990s, pro-reform camp has gained popular support and sustained control of elected bodies of government. This evident from Mohammed Khatami's presidency (1997), reformists' dominance of local councils (1999) and Majlis (2000) and Khatami's reelection (2001). However, conservatives have maintained their control over non-elected institutions (such as Council of Guardians, Council of Experts, Expediency Council and numerous extra-governmental bodies, in addition to support of Supreme Leader Ayatollah All Khamenei, who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini), thus preserving their ability to thwart crucial political, social and economic changes. Since then, conservatives consolidated their control of local councils (2003) and Majlis (2004), culminating in 2005 with ascendancy of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who demonstrated adherence to original revolutionary dogma more than any of contesting candidates to presidency. As a result, policy of dialogue between civilizations, promoted by Khatami, was replaced by an eventual clash of civilizations; process of reform gave way to growing conservatism, and policy of detente--in regional and international relations--gave way to a growing tension. Iran's involvement in Iraq, in Lebanon and within Palestinian Authority, combined with a determination to pursue its nuclear program, and current president's incendiary statements (against United States and Israel and regarding Holocaust) have led Iran to stir up conflict with both its immediate neighbors and countries far from home. This brief survey seeks to examine Iran's regional policy in framework of revolutionary experience and recent changes in domestic and international arena. Some key issues, such as Iran's nuclear policy, relations with United States and relative power of different domestic factions--despite their direct bearing on our discussion--will be mentioned only briefly. Other important questions, like Iran's strategic alliance with Syria, impact of fall of Taliban in Afghanistan and developments in Gulf area similarly not discussed. The first part of this essay focuses on general trend of pragmatism in past Iranian regional policy, while second part limited to an examination of some of main areas in which Iran has been recently involved--the Palestinian Authority, Hezbollah and Iraq. IRAN AND ITS TROUBLED NEIGHBORHOOD The Islamic Revolution led to a dramatic change in Iran's foreign outlook and its international relations. For new leaders of Iran, Islamic Revolution was not just a title for a movement, but an ideal they wished to put into practice throughout Muslim world. The Islamic regime viewed its victory as one stage in and an instrument of an overall change in of Islam--a model for imitation by other Muslims. Our movement for an Islamic goal, not for Iran alone, Khomeini said upon taking power. Iran was only the starting point. Muslims are one family, he added, even if they live in regions remote from each other. (2) Even being Shia or Sunni is not question. (3) For many revolutionaries, ultimate goal remained to launch an ideological crusade aimed at bringing genuine messages of Islam to people everywhere. Assessments by Mohammed Javad Larijani (former Iranian deputy foreign minister) highlight centrality of such a worldwide mission. Following fall of USSR, he stated that the cresting of Islamic movement will soon transform face of world in same manner Renaissance changed Europe. …
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