International Relations Researches

International Relations Researches

Identifying and prioritizing structural and interventionist obstacles to the security-political convergence of Iran and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf

Document Type : Original Article

Author
PhD in Geography and Urban Planning, Farhangian University, Bushehr, Iran.
Abstract
The geopolitical developments of recent decades and the gradual change in the balance of power in the international system, especially the strengthening of the role of Asian powers, have provided the basis for proposing the idea of ​​"transition to an Asian order" in the security environment of the Persian Gulf. In this framework, security-political convergence between Iran and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf can be one of the pillars of regional stability; however, this process faces a set of structural, perceptual, and interventionist obstacles. The aim of the present study is to identify, refine, and prioritize the most important obstacles to security-political convergence between Iran and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, emphasizing the structural changes in the international system and the transition to an Asian order. The present study is applied in terms of its purpose and qualitative in terms of its approach, with an exploratory nature, which was conducted using the Delphi technique. The results showed that the realization of security-political convergence in the Persian Gulf requires reducing security dependence on transregional powers, strengthening indigenous collective security mechanisms, managing geopolitical competition, and rebuilding mutual trust. The transition to an Asian order could provide opportunities to redefine regional security arrangements, but its realization depends on a simultaneous reform of security structures and perceptual patterns among regional actors.
Keywords

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