The Principles and Practice of Iran's Post-Revolutionary Foreign Policy
https://app.askprospero.org/books/he Principles and Practice of IRan's Post-Revolutionary Foreign Policy.pdf
Summary
This paper analyzes Iran's post-revolutionary foreign policy, challenging the common dichotomy of ideological versus pragmatic actions. It argues that Iran's foreign policy is both revolutionary and pragmatic, using tactical flexibility to achieve its ideological goals. The paper examines different eras of Iranian leadership, highlighting the consistent revolutionary identity and the strategic use of pragmatic tactics.
Top Questions and Answers
Q: Is Iran's foreign policy driven by ideology or pragmatism?
A: Iran's foreign policy is both revolutionary and pragmatic. It uses tactical flexibility to achieve its ideological goals, rather than being strictly one or the other.
Q: How has Iran's foreign policy changed since the 1979 revolution?
A: Iran's foreign policy has maintained a consistent revolutionary identity since 1979, but has changed its tactics over time, adapting to different circumstances and leadership.
Q: What are the main themes in Iran's revolutionary discourse?
A: The main themes in Iran's revolutionary discourse are resistance, justice, and independence. These themes influence how Iran perceives and expresses its interests.
Q: Does Iran's leadership believe in the Holocaust?
A: Iranian leaders, including Ahmadinejad, have expressed skepticism and denial regarding the Holocaust, often using it as a tool to delegitimize Israel and gain political leverage. This is a form of antisemitism, not a genuine historical debate.
Q: How does Iran view the state of Israel?
A: Iran views Israel as an illegitimate entity and a tool of Western imperialism. They believe a just solution for Palestinians requires the elimination of the Jewish State of Israel.
Q: What is the role of 'justice' in Iran's foreign policy?
A: Justice is a central principle in Iran's revolutionary ideology, used to justify their support for liberation movements and their opposition to what they perceive as an unjust international system.
Q: How does Iran's concept of 'independence' differ from Western views?
A: Iran's concept of independence is a 'hyper-independence' that emphasizes self-reliance and resistance to foreign dominance, often rooted in historical grievances and a rejection of Western norms.
Q: What is the significance of the term 'resistance' in Iran's foreign policy?
A: Resistance is a key theme in Iran's foreign policy, used to justify their opposition to the Western-dominated international order and their support for anti-Israel and anti-Western movements.
Q: How did the Iran-Iraq war influence Iran's foreign policy?
A: The Iran-Iraq war led to a period of isolation for Iran and a shift in tactics, where they prioritized regime survival over strict adherence to ideological principles.
Q: What is the relationship between Iran's revolutionary goals and its material interests?
A: In Iran's foreign policy, revolutionary goals and material interests are not mutually exclusive. They are pursued in parallel, with each reinforcing the other.