The Study of Islamic Republic of Iran Foreign Policy Orientation in Iraq (Post-Saddam) based on the SWOT Model

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Student in International Relations, Department of Political Science and International Relations,Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University Tabriz,Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Providing strategy in foreign policy orientation makes the following categories important: the necessity of correct and complete understanding and manipulating of national power and strength; the requirements and characteristics of the external environment, governing rule and pattern in a regional and international environment; recognizing the opportunities, environmental vulnerability, and existing threats and many other factors. Due to the geographical and cultural proximity of the two countries, as well as their neighborhood, the expansive relations between Iraq and Iran are very essential which lead to security establishment in the Middle East. This study's purpose is to show the capability/validity of the SWOT model used in the Islamic Republic of Iran foreign policy orientation field in Iraq post-Saddam. The main question is this, “based on SWOT analytical model, what and how appropriate strategies can be presented in the Islamic Republic of Iran foreign policy orientation in post-Saddam Iraq?” SWOT model is based on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in both internal and external dimensions. Developing strategies based on SWOT is the new point of the current article. The findings show that one successful tool in the Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign policy orientation and policy-making in post-Saddam Iraq is a realistic understanding of Iraq's current situations. Proper analysis of opportunities, threats, and the associated strengths and weaknesses can determine Iran’s foreign policy orientation towards its fundamental and defined interests.
.

Keywords

Main Subjects


  1. Ahmadi, M.R. (2007). “Strategic Analysis Method”, Hassoun, No. 13, 39-57. [In Persian]
  2. Akbari, H. (2015). Iraq and its Neighbors in the Future, Tehran: Imam Hussein University Publication. [In Persian]
  3. Akraminia, M. (2013). “Strategies of the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in achieving the goals of Vision 1404”, Quarterly Journal of Strategic Studies, Volume 16, Number 3. [In Persian]
  4. Azghandi, A. (2015). Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Frameworks and Orientations, Tehran: Qomes Publishing. [In Persian]
  5. Borna, B.S. (2005). Relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and New Iraq (Challenges, Opportunities and Threats), Journal of Parliament and Strategy, Twelfth Year, No. 49 and 50. [In Persian]
  6. Bourne, P.V. (2015). “You want to defeat ISIS”, Fars News Agency website, January 6th. [In Persian]
  7. Dehghan, Y. (2010). A study of political relations between Iran and Iraq during the presidency of Mr. Ahmadinejad, Tehran: Abrar Contemporary International Cultural Studies and Research Institute. [In Persian]
  8. Ebrahimzadeh, I; Aghasizadeh, A. (2009). Analysis of factors affecting the tourism development in Chabahar coastal area using the SWOT strategic model, Quarterly Journal of Urban and Regional Studies and Research, 114-115. [In Persian]
  9. Ferdar, D. (2000). Strategic Management, Translated by Ali Parsaian, Seyed Mohammad Aarabi, Tehran: Cultural Research Office Publications.
  10. Feyz, D. (2010). Qualitative Research Status Strategic Analysis in Iran and Presenting Strategies for Its Development Using the SWOT Model, Strategy Quarterly, Year 19, No. 54, 169-185. [In Persian]
  11. Harrison, J; John, K. (2003). Strategic Management, Translated by Behrouz Ghasemi, Tehran: Hayat Publications. [In Persian]
  12. Islami, M; Shamsabadi, A. (2018). The Causes behind Appointment of Kurdistan Regions Separation Referendum. Geopolitics Quarterly, 14(51), 63-94. [In Persian]
  13. Izadi, J. (2010). Diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Foreign Policy, Energy, Nuclear), Tehran: Abrar Institute. [In Persian]
  14. Karimifard, H. (2009). Analysis of the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran based on the national identity components. Journal of Political and International Research, 1 (2), 155-190. [In Persian]
  15. Koolaee, E., Hariri, R., Asadikia, B. (2016). Kurdish Question and Its Impact on Iran-Turkey Relations. Geopolitics Quarterly, 12(43), 1-27. [In Persian]
  16. Maleki, A. (2014). “Islamic Caliphate and Change of Borders”, Hamshahri newspaper, July 6, p. 10. [In Persian]
  17. Maoz, Z. (2004). Building Regional Security in the Middle East: International, Regional and Domestic Influences. London: Frank Cass.
  18. Menati, A; Hadian, N. (2019). The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foreign Policy towards Iraq From the perspective of Balance of Threat Theory (2003-2018). Quarterly Journal of Islamic World Studies, 7(15), 139-164. [In Persian]
  19. Mousavi, S; Barzegar, K; Ghavam, S; Zakerian, M. (2016). The Impact of Arab World Upheavals on Iran-Turkey Regional Policies. Geopolitics Quarterly, 12(41), 166-188. [In Persian]
  20. Mossallanejad, A. (2016). The Rise of ISIS and the Future of Iraq’s Security, Geopolitics Quarterly, 11(4), 1-31. [In Persian]
  21. Niakoui, A; Moradi, C.S. (2015). Competition of Regional Powers in Iraq, Quarterly Journal of Foreign Relations, Seventh Year, No. 1, Spring 2015. [In Persian]
  22. Ozerdem, A; Bowd, R. (2010). Participatory Research Methodologies. Bulington: Ashgate Publishing Company.
  23. Pahl, N; Richte, A. (2012). SWOT Analysis- Idea, Methodology and Practical Approach. Norderstedt: Grin Verlage.
  24. Ramazani, R. (2016). An Analytical Framework for Examining the Foreign Policy of Islamic Republic of Iran, Translated by Alireza Tayeb, Tehran: Ney Publishing. [In Persian]
  25. Rastgoo, M; Asadi, A; Mousavi Shafaee, S. (2018). Geographical Restriction and Interests as a Bulwark against Disintegration of Iraq. Geopolitics Quarterly, 13(48), 245-279. [In Persian]
  26. Seyednejad, S.B. (2010). “Salafism in Iraq and its impact on the Islamic Republic of Iran”, Strategic Studies, 47, 95-122. [In Persian]
  27. Shayesteh, M; Iraqi, G. (2015). The Islamic Revolution of Iran policies evaluation from the SWOT matrix perspective, Quarterly Journal of the Islamic Revolution, Fourth Year, No. 17, 93-75. [In Persian]
  28. Shirody, M. (2016). SWOT Strategic Model in Analysis: The Crisis of the Political Conduct of ISIS, Islamic Republic of Iran and Ways to Get out of it. Islamic Politics Research, 3(8), 81-106. [In Persian]
  29. Tajkhosravi, M; Khosbani, Y.E. (2020). The future of Iraq and related scenarios (2020 - 2010). Journal of International Relations Studies, 12 (46), 49. [In Persian]
  30. Yousefi J.M. (2015). Fundamental Analysis in Islamic Republic of Iran Foreign Policy (1978-2005), Tabriz: Islamic Azad University Publication. [In Persian]
  31. https://donya-e-eqtesad.com.
  32. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_analysis.