چکیده:
This article discusses how energy diplomacy is used in today’s world to secure and promote the national and international security of nations. It focuses on the case of Iran as a major energy power. It will be argued that the emergence of energy as one of the main global concerns on the one hand and the emergence of multi-polarity in the wake of the demise of the Cold War on the other، have provided a foundation for the use of energy resources as a new means to pursue the international diplomacy of nations. In this context، the isolationist outlook in international politics advocating hard power as the main anchor for a nation’s security is rejected; instead a new approach based on the principles of engagement، participation، and partnership in the world’s mega trends is emphasized and، in fact، recommended. It is argued here that the level and degree of the meaningful role a country plays in the current world affairs and also in contributing to shaping the prospective international system is directly correlated with the level and degree of safety and security it would be able to secure for itself. In this vein، the traditional as well as modern outlooks in Iran’s energy diplomacy will be briefly examined. While the former views oil and gas resources as a source of income to be utilized – primarily – to bankroll current activities and hence، ignoring the political economy considerations of energy، the latter، fully cognizant of such considerations، is based on the new vision of engagement and partnership with global partners and calls for adoption of a comprehensive energy plan that addresses both domestic and international concerns of this sector. Based on authentic empirical evidence، the article argues that Iran is well suited to utilize its oil and gas resources and capacities in a manner to secure an appropriate place commensurate with its true potential and play a meaningful role in the international community. Achievement of such a position will undoubtedly contribute to the consolidation of the national and international security of Iran.
خلاصه ماشینی:
Characteristics of the "New Iraq", particularly its unfolding democratic experience and governance, and a new collaborative approach to foreign policy, especially towards the neighboring countries, have raised hopes for Iraq’s prospective positive contribution to regional stability, security, convergence, and ultimate integration, based on a new pattern of engagement and collaboration among regional states and actors.
The present article attempts to look into the Iraqi aggressive posture and policy during the past several decades as well as into the prospects for the future based on the mutual roles and responsibilities of the "New Iraq" and the neighboring states in the Persian Gulf, from the vantage point of peaceful intentions and conduct, interaction and collaboration towards the development of a collective regional system.
Iraq’s initiation of two regional wars; invasion of Iran in 1980 leading to an 8-year- long conflict; and occupation of Kuwait in 1990 leading to the second Persian Gulf war; and the situation that finally led to the 2003 US-led military action against Iraq have created a long- enduring state of instability and insecurity in the area, including paving the way for the direct military presence and engagement of foreign forces in the area with all its complicating consequences and implications.
Emergence of a Collaborative Approach The post-Saddam "New Iraq", as characterized by a developing pluralistic governance structure moving in the direction of democratic governance reflective of Iraq’s ethnic, sectarian and lingual mosaic and population structure, and engaged in the process of return to a state of normalcy, reconstruction and development, would be expected, reasonably, to adopt a collaborative, conciliatory approach in its foreign policy, including, in particular, with regard to its immediate neighborhood – inclusive of the Persian Gulf.