The Impact of the Iranian Revolution on Middle East Politics - Coursework Example

Assess the Impact of the Iranian Revolution on Middle East Politics Introduction The Iranian Revolution is an incident whichmarked the end of the decade of the 70s. However, the outcomes of this revolution follow for many decades to come. By its nature the Iranian revolution changed the entire governing structure of the Iranian state; however, the outcomes can result in something much more than a government restructuring (January, 2008, ‎ p.11). This faithful event took place on the first of April 1979, as a result of a referendum which voted 98.7 percent in favor of the reformation of Iran as an Islamic Republic. A new constitution was formed by December and Khomeini was Declared as the Supreme and unchallenged of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Shi’ite Islam was declared as the state religion and widespread reforms, covering nearly every department of the state, were introduced. This also resulted in the restructuring of the foreign policy of this company. The new leaders of the state had a whole new perspective for the world, especially their neighboring Middle Eastern states. This new foreign policy was to change the face of Middle Eastern Politics forever. To analyze this new order of politics, we must have a proper insight of the foreign relations between Iran and the other Middle Eastern countries. The first country that may come in mind is Iraq (Menashri‎, 2001, p.‎46). Post-Revolutionary Iran–Iraq Relations After the dismissal of the Shah of Iran, Shah Raza Pahlavi, who was always considered as a liberal Shah who had ‘strayed’ the people of Iran from the true path of Islam, there was a sudden change of the international views of Iran. This also inducted a huge change in the local policies between countries, such as Iraq and Iran. With the Iraq-Iran war between 1980 and 1988, there was a focus towards the Kurdish factor between the two states. This gave rise to a Kurdish conflict between the two states which was promoted by both of the states. Iraq promoted the movement known as the KDPI (Kurdish Democratic party of Iran) to function inside the Iranian territory at different spots which included Nowdesheh and Qasr-e-Shirin. KDPI was supplied with weapons and various military arms throughout the war and wanted to develop liberated zones inside the state of Iran (Bernard, 1995, p.‎428). Similarly, Iran also indulged in a Kurdish movement as a counter retaliation against Iraq. By 1983, they started funding Kurdish parties such as KDP (Kurdish Democratic Party) and PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) to function inside the Iraqi Premises and cause various un-settlements within the state. This threatened Baghdad for various Kurdish attacks that could damage various economic powerhouses of Iraq. Thus, the Kurdish card was exploited by both the states (Menashri‎, 2001, p.‎46). However, with the end of the Iran Iraq war and the start of the Iraq Kuwait war, it marked a huge change in policy for both countries. With the establishment of a no-fly zone in northern Iraq, Iran feared that the no-fly zone could serve as a womb for Iraqi-Kurd negotiations which could further threaten the territories of Iran, and it may also be utilized by US forces order to destabilize Iran. Hence, a series of bombing raids were conducted by Iran against KDPI. However after the development of Kurdish movements as an independent entity in Iraq, they decided to hold negotiations with them. After the US invasion of Iraq and the Dismissal of Saddam Husain’s regime, there was another shift in Iran’s policy. Although Iran was a major fund provider for the Kurdish movement inside Iraq, it was also accusing them of Israeli infiltration and influence. This continues to be a major source of inconvenience between Iraqi Kurdistan and Tehran (Bernard, 1995, p.428). The revolution resulted in a hostile relationship between the two nations and hence a promotion of a strong Kurdish movement in the two countries. However, the major point of interest for Iran has been the safeguarding of its territories. If Iran ever finds its territories challenged by any Kurdish movement or Iraqi influence, they will certainly take actions accordingly. Turkish-Iranian Relations Since the establishment of the Turkish republic in 1923 and the formation of the Iranian monarchy, relations between the two countries have not only been peaceful, but also progressive. None of the two states considered each other as a potential threat. Both the countries were part of the RCD (Regional Cooperation Development) along with Pakistan and were also founding members of the CENTO. They were considered as pro-western countries that were against the Soviet side of the Iron Curtain. However the Iranian revolution marked a significant change in the Turkish-Iranian relations. There was a mutual tension between the two states as Turkey was a pro-western and pro-Israeli state while Iran had changed its course (January, 2008, p.‎11). With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, a new race of ideology began between Iran and Turkey inside the Central Asian Republics who had liberated after the instability in 1991. They wanted to induce their influence and power in these states and hence began to spread information and education among those states about their past progressive relations. Turkey being a pro-western state gained the support of the United States. The fact that Israel was also recognized by Turkey in 1949 meant that this would cause a significant drift between the two countries. After the signing of the Madrid Peace pact however, Turkey improved its alliance with Israel with the regional Defense alliance with Israel. This forced great resentment from Iran but eventually lead to an alliance between Iraq, Syria and Iran in order to counter act the alliance between Turkey and Israel. During the 1990’s, Turkey has also accused Iran for supporting Islamic Radicalization inside the Turkish territory. Turkey being a secular state has been against the establishment of a strict Islamic order unlike Iran. The most tensed moment of their relation came in 1997 on Jerusalem day in Sincan. During the parade various people were seen carrying the banners of organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas who were strongly commenting on the secularism of Turkey. Turkey accused Iran for the growth of such pro-Islamic radicalization inside Turkey (Bernard, 1995, p. ‎428). By looking at the following incidents, it is evident that the relations between these two vital states have significantly deteriorated after the revolution in Iran. Iran was particularly not in favor of the peace talks between Israel and Turkey, with Israel being the arch enemy of Iran after the revolution. However, after the end of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel due to the Mavi Marmara incident in 2010, there has been an environment of positive relations between the two nations. The two countries have never considered each other as a potential threat as Turkey is a major exporter of Iran and Iran is the major energy provider for Turkey. Hence, the development of positive relations may be foreseen in near future. Iran and Saudi Arabian Relations Since the regime of the Ayatollah Khomeini, Iranian establishment has accused Saudi Arabia and its monarchy. Khomeini and his successors have continuously accused Saudi monarchs as highly pro-Americans and that they have been acting as ‘American Satellites’. On the other hand, Saudi governments have accused Iranian governments as slaughter houses who have de-shaped the true face of Islam. There has been strong exchange of words on both sides (Halliday, 2005, p.‎95). Iranian leadership has even called upon the people of various countries such as Egypt, Syria and even Saudi Arabia to follow the footsteps of Iran and dethrone their regimes and follow a pro-Islamic order. These comments have infuriated Saudi monarchs even further. During the Iran-Iraq War, Saudi Arabia openly held an alliance with Iraq and supported their cause against the interest of Iran (Menashri‎, 2001, p.‎46). However, with the start of the Gulf war between Kuwait and Iraq triggered a hope of positive relations between the countries. Saudi Arabia considered Saddam Husain as a greater threat than the Iranian government. With the occupation of Kuwait, that threat even increased. This gave rise to diplomatic relations between the countries in the 1990’s. Secondly with the introduction with a more lenient government in Iran after the death of the Ayatollah, it opened pathways for some peace talks between the two nations. Considering the relations between the two countries, there has been a significant dent caused by the Iranian Revolution. However the relations have more or less been quite which may indicate future instability. With the third Gulf War in Iraq, it has potentially weakened the state of Iraq, thus, further creating an imbalance between Iran and Saudi Arabia (January, 2008, ‎ p.11). Iran Israel Relations The relation who has received the most significant and major of all setbacks is the Iran Israel relation. Before the Iranian Revolution, the relations between these two countries were very stable and even progressive. The Shah was very lenient towards the Israeli state as he was a pro-western monarch. Under the trans-Asiatic Oil alliance, these two nations had gained significant trading bases in countries such as Panama and Switzerland (Halliday, 2005, p.‎95). However, after the Iranian Revolution, these relations faced a major setback, unlike any other in modern history. The main aim of the new regime was always to free the Middle East from any sort of US influence, which included the state of Israel which carries the American flagship of influence in the Gulf States. In the early years of this relation, there was no potential conflict between the two nations. During the first gulf war, Iran even gained benefits from various aids which it received from Israeli Organizations who were funded by the American Government. Even in the 1990’s there was a weak diplomatic tie as Israel Considered Iraq and Saddam Husain as a bigger potential threat then Iran. However, with the development of Iran’s missile and nuclear program in the 1990’s, it alarmed Israel which was now speaking publicly against this growing military influence. Similarly Khatmi, who was a strong Iranian leader started to criticize Israel for its growing influence and violence inside the Palestinian territory. By the start of the 21st century, the rivalry was evident. With the dismissal of regimes of the Taliban in Afghanistan and Saddam Husain in Iraq, Israel was worried about the spreading of Iranian influence in Southeast Asia and the Gulf region. It even blamed the spreading of the influence of Hamas and Hezbollah in the bordering countries of Israel. Due to the Israel-Lebanon war which majorly threatened Hezbollah, the relations were further deteriorated between the two nations as Iran continued to supply Hezbollah with arms and aid in its struggle against Israel. Israel no longer considered peace talks as the source of peace between the two nations and hence continued to criticize the Iranian Nuclear program heavily thus causing more and more turmoil. By overlooking the following relations, their details and future prospects, it is clearly evident that the Iranian revolution has resulted in a severe deterioration in the maintenance of Peace between the Gulf States in the Middle East. The sudden change in the ideology of a once liberal state has diminished several progressive relations and has even resulted in the imbalance of various regimes. Future aspects do not promote any significant positive relationships between countries such as Israel, Saudi Arabia and Iran and may further destroy peace talks in the Middle East. References Bernard, L., 1995. The Middle East: A Brief History of the Last 2,000 Years. New York: Scribner. Halliday, F., 2005. The Middle East in International Relation. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press. January, B., 2008. The Iranian Revolution. NY: Twenty-First Century Books. Menashri, D., 2001. Post-revolutionary Politics in Iran: Religion, Society and Power. London: Routledge. Read More