Employing Smart Power in Iran's Strategy Towards the Arab Region After 2011

Abstract

In terms of geopolitics, Iran is an active regional force in the Middle East in general and the Arab region in particular. It is trying to define its influence and build its place in the geopolitics of this region. It is aware of the importance of the Force's soft strategy to strengthen its influence throughout the region. It is also aware of the new changes after the Arab Spring, which have given them opportunities to strengthen their influence. By using a set of strategic principles and foundations and making a set of regional and international strategies to achieve their goals and interests, as well as using ideological contradictions, different interests, doctrinal extension, and armed acts to move up the hierarchy of regional powers in the Middle East region, she was able to be a major and influential player in the region's interactions and all its crises, whether in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, or Yemen.

The research is based on the idea that "Whenever Iran is able to use smart tools of power vis-à-vis Arab countries and take advantage of opportunities while neutralizing challenges, it will strengthen its role and regional standing and change the balance of power to achieve its goals and serve its interests." The research was split into Two main topics. The first study looked at how Iran's strategy toward the Arab region makes use of "soft power" tools. The second study looks at how Iran's plan for the Arab region makes use of hard power tools.