Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract This article seeks to systematically survey the logic of unstable alliances in the Middle East after the Arab revolutions. On what basis do the governments of the Middle East enter into alliances with each other and what variables influence their fluid-forming coalition behavior? Contrary to mainstream approaches to explaining the nature of alliances, variables such as balance of power, anarchy, identity, and external threats alone are unable to understand the empirical mechanisms and complexities of Middle Eastern governments' unifying behavior. Using theories of alliance in international relations, the present paper proposes an integrated framework of "regime security" as an alternative approach to survey the roots of alliance in the Middle East. Despite the changes in the international and regional environment, the main interests of each of the Middle Eastern governments are still to ensure the survival and security of their political regime. Indeed, the foreign relations and alliance options of Middle Eastern governments are based on their dynamic action to secure the ruling regime in the face of potential internal and external threats. Under such circumstances, alliances are formulated as transnational coalitions between potential allies to ensure the survival of political regimes. For test of the main idea of the article, case studies of regional alliances in the Middle East is discussed.

Abstract Abstract: the main purpose of this article is to develop an Ekhvanist analysis of Qatar foreign policy toward 2011 Arab revolutions. The agency of Qatar, based on Ekhvanist political Islamic discourse, is a complex of pragmatism and Ekhvanism in foreign policy. So, author first tries to illustrate a general picture of Qatar foreign policy based on Ekhvanism in search of a new identity, and then analyses it’s indicators in Qatar pragmatism. At last , he explains status of Ekhvanist political Islamic discourse in Qatar foreign policy toward Arab revolutions.  

Abstract

The importance of the relevant issues and variables involved in the foreign relationship between the countries are different to each other and their influence is not equal. While some are not of much significance, some others effect national security and are of the vital interests of the countries. This papers aims at analyzing the effective elements of the strategic relationship between the I. R. of Iran and the UAE through constructivism.  In this way, other than a theoretical analysis and illustration of the foundations of the UAE’s foreign policy, the main issues studied in this paper are as follows: Iran-Arab regional competition in new Iraq, Territorial disputes between the two countries, Iran’s nuclear activities, the revolutionary movements in the Arab world especially in Bahrain and finally the economic relationship between the two countries. The findings of this survey proves that in spite of some major disputes between the two countries, there exist a strategic kind of relationship between them that lessens possibility of unilateral actions with the other’s cost.  None of the two countries can secure its own interest without paying due attention to other’s interest. Other than mutual dependence due to geographical proximity, are dependent to each other in the economic, social and cultural areas which has been created and strengthened during the last three decades.