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| Volume XII, Summer 2005, Number 2 |
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| ABSTRACT: Understanding the Roots of Iranian Foreign Policy in the New Iraq |
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| Kayhan Barzegar |
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Dr. Barzegar is an assistant professor of international relations at the Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Campus; a senior research fellow at the Centre for Scientific Research and Middle East Strategic Studies; and an associate fellow at the Centre for Strategic Research (CSR).
This article investigates the roots of Iranian foreign policy in the new Iraq. Among the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, Iraq, due to its numerous commonalties with Iran and also specific ethnic, cultural and historical characteristics, is perceived by Iran as a core country in the region and in the Arab world. In addition, given the historical record and the unresolved issues from the war, Iraq is the foremost scene of Iran's regional challenges. As such, Iraq has an identified definition in Iran's national interests. In this article, the author argues that as a regional power with great ambitions Iran has its own "sphere of influence" in which it tries to produce security and create opportunity. Iraq is the most significant part of this sphere and the Islamic Republic has legitimate security concerns toward the future political developments, shape of government, new power division and the role and presence of foreign powers in the new Iraq. These concerns arise mainly from the challenges that the new developments in Iraq present to Iranian foreign policy. Although the new Iraq is no longer a military threat, it presents fresh and sensitive challenges.
Iran's current attitude towards the new Iraq stems from national-security concerns on the one hand and its desire to create opportunities in different internal, regional and international levels on the other. The Islamic Republic has two major aims: First, to defuse security threats stemming from the U.S. presence on Iran's borders, and to cope with Iraq's ethnic rivalries, civil war and potential disintegration. Second, to redefine the traditional characterization of Iraq's function as a counterweight to Iran's power and thereby to express itself as a new regional power. Viewing Iraq as a reliable neighbour requires the establishment of a government in Baghdad that is able to understand Iran's role in the regional power equations and to redefine bilateral relations and direct them toward a new chapter based on mutual respect and goodwill. The creation of a balanced government comprising all ethnic, political and religious factions is fundamental for a stabilized Iraq. Contrary to traditional perceptions, Iran and Iraq are not destined to be permanent strategic rivals, balancing regional security between them. It is the responsibility of the international community and the United States in particular to avoid transforming the two countries into adversaries. This would bring new renewed tensions to the region. In the end, the state-building process is the most urgent need of the new Iraq. Establishing security and fostering democracy require the support and collaboration of the regional countries, chief amongst them the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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