With the Islamic Revolution in 1979 in Iran, one of the biggest shifts in the power structure of the Middle East Region happened. Suddenly, from one day to the other, the United States of America (USA) and its allies lost one of their major Ally’s in the Region. Since then, the USA and their allies, mostly Saudi-Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel are in a power struggle with Iran about the control of the Middle East. Since 2017, the tensions between Iran and the US and its allies reaching new highs after the withdraw of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCOPA) treaty in 2018 and the also growing involvement of Iran in the Syrian Civil War to support the alliance between Iran, Syria and the Hezbollah and establishing a long term presence in Syria. In the last Month the Iran and the USA where on the verge of War when Iran first shut down an United States (US) spy drown and just a month later, sizing a British Oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, which brought the tensions with the West and its allies to a new high.
These meaningful events in the last 2 years and beyond are the reasons why Iran’s foreign policy is so relevant and interesting for the scientist research at the moment, because it is not completely clear how Iran is justifying the US and their allies as enemies of Iran and why this approach in foreign policy is therefore so different and unique to other, mainly Arabic states in the Region.
Table of Contents
1. Iran: A unique foreign policy in the MENA Region
2. Securitization Theory and the apply on Iran´s foreign policy measures
2.1 The Securitization Theory
2.2 Analysis of Iran´s foreign policy securitization since 2011
2.2.1 Context and Preconditions
2.2.2 Syria
2.2.3 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
3. Conclusions
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines how Iran employs Securitization Theory to justify its foreign policy towards the USA, Israel, and the Gulf states by framing them as existential threats to its national security, while assessing the overall effectiveness of these efforts in shaping domestic and international perceptions.
- Application of the Securitization Theory within an authoritarian state context.
- Analysis of Iranian foreign policy in the Syrian Civil War.
- Evaluation of Iran's response to the US withdrawal from the JCPOA.
- Investigation into the effectiveness of securitizing moves on domestic audience reception.
- The role of key actors such as the IRGC and the Supreme Leader in defining security threats.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Iran: A unique foreign policy in the MENA Region
With the Islamic Revolution in 1979 in Iran, one of the biggest shifts in the power structure of the Middle East Region happened. Suddenly, from one day to the other, the United States of America (USA) and its allies lost one of their major Ally’s in the Region. Since then, the USA and their allies, mostly Saudi-Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel are in a power struggle with Iran about the control of the Middle East. Since 2017, the tensions between Iran and the US and its allies reaching new highs after the withdraw of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCOPA) treaty in 2018 (Landler 2018: 1) and the also growing involvement of Iran in the Syrian Civil War to support the alliance between Iran, Syria and the Hezbollah and establishing a long term presence in Syria (Ahmado 2018: 1). In the last Month the Iran and the USA where on the verge of War when Iran first shut down an United States (US) spy drown (Berlinger 2019: 1) and just a month later, sizing a British Oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, which brought the tensions with the West and its allies to a new high (Starr 2019: 1).
These meaningful events in the last 2 years and beyond are the reasons why Iran’s foreign policy is so relevant and interesting for the scientist research at the moment, because it is not completely clear how Iran is justifying the US and their allies as enemies of Iran and why this approach in foreign policy is therefore so different and unique to other, mainly Arabic states in the Region. Out of the unique foreign policy of Iran emerges the research question for this paper: “How does Iran depict the USA, Israel, and the Gulf states as its enemies and to what extent has it been successful?”
Summary of Chapters
1. Iran: A unique foreign policy in the MENA Region: Introduces the geopolitical shifts since 1979 and the resulting power struggle, establishing the research question regarding Iran's framing of its enemies.
2. Securitization Theory and the apply on Iran´s foreign policy measures: Provides the theoretical foundation of Securitization Theory and analyzes its application to Iran's actions in Syria and the aftermath of the JCPOA.
2.1 The Securitization Theory: Defines the core concepts of the theory, including securitizing actors, moves, and the role of the audience in the securitization process.
2.2 Analysis of Iran´s foreign policy securitization since 2011: Investigates the empirical data and specific foreign policy events through the lens of securitization.
2.2.1 Context and Preconditions: Details the demographic, political, and economic variables that shape Iran's ability to securitize issues.
2.2.2 Syria: Analyzes the justification for Iranian military intervention in Syria as a defense against perceived US-led plots.
2.2.3 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: Examines how Iranian leaders framed the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal as a long-term strategy to weaken the Islamic Republic.
3. Conclusions: Synthesizes the findings, concluding that Iran's securitization efforts have seen only partial success, largely resonating with hardline domestic supporters rather than the broader population.
Keywords
Iran, Securitization Theory, Middle East, USA, Foreign Policy, Syria, JCPOA, National Security, IRGC, Asymmetrical Warfare, Political Islam, Hardliners, Sanctions, Geopolitics, Regional Influence
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper investigates how Iran justifies its confrontational foreign policy towards the USA, Israel, and the Gulf states by framing them as existential threats to its national security.
What are the central themes covered?
The study focuses on the intersection of foreign policy, domestic political stability, and the use of Securitization Theory to explain state behavior in the Middle East.
What is the primary research question?
The primary question is: "How does Iran depict the USA, Israel, and the Gulf states as its enemies and to what extent has it been successful?"
Which scientific method is utilized?
The author applies the Securitization Theory, a constructivist approach in International Relations, to analyze specific discourse and political moves by Iranian leaders.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines Iran's intervention in the Syrian Civil War and the regime's reaction to the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Securitization Theory, Iran, Middle East, Foreign Policy, Syria, JCPOA, and National Security.
How does the author define a "securitizing actor" in the Iranian context?
The author identifies key figures such as the Supreme Leader, the President, and commanders of the IRGC as primary actors who interpret events and mobilize public opinion to support extraordinary measures.
How successful was the Iranian government in securitizing the war in Syria?
The analysis indicates that while the rhetoric found support among hardline and conservative segments of society, it failed to convince the broader population, as evidenced by protests in 2018.
What role does the IRGC play in the securitization process?
The IRGC is presented as a major securitizing actor that uses anti-Western sentiment and regional conflicts to justify military expenditures and influence.
What is the final conclusion regarding the success of these securitization moves?
The conclusion states that Iranian securitization moves have been only partially successful, as they often deepen internal divisions rather than building national consensus.
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- Tim Wolters (Autor:in), 2018, The Depiction of USA, Israel and the Gulf States as Enemies from Iran, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/994254
