Regional Supremacy in West Asia: A Case Study of Iran and Saudi Arabia

Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Vol. XXXIX, No.4 Summer 2016 Regional Supremacy in West Asia: A Case Study of Iran and Saudi Arabia Md. Abdul Gaffar* Introduction The disintegration of the Soviet Union brought profound transformation in international politics and led to alter the character of the world order. The events which followed by the end of the Cold War led to the reordering of the global system.1 We know that the type of international structure which emerged after the Cold War is always a debated topic in international relations. While some scholars, such as John Mearshimer, assert that bipolar system is being replaced by a multi-polar one, others like Joseph Nye argue that it is not yet clear what type of system has been developing.2 The changes in the world order significantly changed the power equation in international politics. The strategic environment of the post-Cold War period led to the emergence of states that are creating new configurations of regional alignment powers.3 Some of these states have the intention and resources to conduct foreign policy in their regions without the approval of the great powers or international organizations. In fact, with cessation of bloc politics, the middle powers and even small powers increasingly 63 *Md. Abdul Gaffar is a Doctoral scholar in School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. His thesis examines “Role of Ideology in Iran’s Foreign Policy in the post-Cold War Era.” His areas of interests are contemporary Iranian politics, Islam and politics, Muslim issues in Northeast India. He published several articles and book reviews which appeared in Economic and Political Weekly, World Affairs, India Quarterly, Man and Society, Journal of International, Global Studies and Jadavpur Journal of International Relations. 1 Zaki Laidi (ed.), Power and Purpose After the Cold War, Oxford: Berg Publishers, 1994, p.1. 2 Joseph S. Nye, Bound To Lead: The Changing Nature of American Power, New York: Basic Books, 1990, p. 238. 3 Graham E. Fuller and John Arquilla (1996), “The Intractable Problem of Regional Powers,” in Orbis: A Journal of World Affairs, 1996, vol. 40, No. 4, p. 609. 64 became active to play an important role in international politics. In recent years, several “regional powers” have developed a desire to resist, the dominance of the superpowers and have acquired opportunities for autonomous action. In the post-Cold War period power is increasingly diffused and redistributed.4 In other words, a number of regional centres of power have emerged. While during the Cold War environment the world was concerned largely with the inter-state conflict and competition among great extraregional powers, much of the present day international politics demonstrates internal conflicts including secessionism with regional repercussions.5 There is push and pull for Iran to become a regional player. Saudi Arabia seems to demonstrate a sense of superiority giving a challenge to Iran. Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and the Arabic language. They are proud of this heritage. There are also hardliner Sunni Muslim who feel that Saudi Arabia is the leader of the global Muslim community and that Shias are the worst kind of heretics. The rivalry between Sunni and Shias is equally strong in geopolitical divisions as well as sectarian division. Iran on the other hand sees itself as a natural hegemonic power in the region owing to its large population, military capabilities and geopolitical position making it the connecting nation between the Caucasus, Indian Subcontinent and the Gulf. Saudi Arabia, of course has a different view. Its influence in the Arabian Peninsula has grown rapidly due to its oil rich economy. The geopolitical struggle between the two countries has brought out proxy conflicts across the region. Palestine, Iraq and ongoing Syria have become battlegrounds in which national interests are at stake, but also the dimension of the influence and dominance of the two West Asian powers. The post-war reconstruction of Iraq is one of the best examples of Iran and Saudi Arabia rivalry. The Shi’a government in Iraq has given Iran a special importance. Regional Supremacy in West Asia: Domestic Determinants Iran Major domestic determinants of Iran’s regional status in...