چکیده:
This article focuses on the security architecture of the Persian Gulf. Since the British left the Persian Gulf in 1971، maintaining the security of this strategic body of water has been a major concern for the governments of the region and for those who depend on energy supply from this region. Four decades later، after a revolution، three major wars، and regime changes in the region، defining a security system for the Persian Gulf remains a significant challenge. This article reviews the past security arrangements in the Persian Gulf and proposes a new framework for Persian Gulf security. Study of previous and current security patterns in the region reveal that the existing security frameworks have failed to ensure stability and led to massive direct military confrontations in the Persian Gulf. The authors argue that the failed strategies and theories of balance of power and arms race would intensify the atmosphere of mistrust and animosity in the region. They suggest that any meaningful security arrangement should involve all major regional actors the Persian Gulf. They conclude that common security can only be achieved through comprehensive security architecture in the region. Although they insist that achieving this objective needs confidence-building measures to be considered by regional actors.
خلاصه ماشینی:
Study of previous and current security patterns in the region reveal that the existing security frameworks have failed to ensure stability and led to massive direct military confrontations in the Persian Gulf.
Keywords : Persian Gulf, Common Security, Regional Actors, Balance of Power, Cooperation Assistant Professor of International Relations, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran (kbarzegar@hotmail.
Although the overthrew of Saddam Hussein weekend the military strength of the country, empowerment of the Shiite factions in the new political structure of Iraq and their ties with Iran have become a source of concern for the Arab states of the Persian Gulf and for Washington.
Saudi Arabia as the third regional power in the Persian Gulf has shown to lack confidence in maintaining its security on its own and has cooperated closely and coordinated its actions with outside powers, namely the United States.
But, what is that mutual gains in the Persian Gulf - a region with a long record of conflicts, mistrust and wars – that could invoke the regional states to leave arms race and participate in common security framework?
The United States, as the most powerful foreign power maintains the heaviest military presence ever in the Persian Gulf, only to raise Tehran’s concern for its security.
On the one hand, Iranian government speaks frequently of attacking US military bases in the countries of the region to counter any kind of aggression by US against Iran (Fars News Political Group.