Bilateral Relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran
* For this paper, students are to begin by choosing one bilateral relationship in the Middle East. This can include any pair of Middle East states or one state coupled with a major non-state actors. The Israeli-Palestinian bilateral relationship is, however, not allowed as a paper topic for this course because it will be a significant topic covered in the course lectures and discussion. In addition, if a non-state actor is chosen, it cannot be paired with a nation-state in which it operates intensely (e.g., ISIS cannot be paired with Syria, Iraq, or Libya; Hizbollah cannot be paired with Lebanon or Syria).
- SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAN is the two actors paper should focus on
* Describe the current relationship between those two actors.
* Then, list what you see as the key factors that have determined that present relationship between the two actors. Some of those key factors may be historical, and some may be current.
* Take that list of key influencing factors, and for each of them, discuss whether that factor operates primarily at the international and systemic level; and/or at the state/national level; and/or the individual/cognitive/leadership level. (Very important)
*USE 5 PRIMARY SOURCES(ONLY) TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP (books, academic journals and primary sources
* justify your choices of the key influencing factors; and even more importantly on the logic you use to classify each of those key factors into levels of analysis. (difference between the international/systemic level, versus the state/national level, versus the individual/cognitive/leadership level of analysis; and will substantiate the logic of your classification)
-4 factors needed to be included: historical or present that account for present bilateral relationship.
THESE FACTORS CAN BE:SHARING BORDER OR THEY COOPERATE WITH EACH-OTHER, HAVE HISTORY TOGETHER, OR LEADERS ARE LONG SUPPORTERES. Then each factor needs analysis based upon international/systemic, state/national, international/cognitive/leadership level.
- don’t need long conclusion section
-MLA FORMAT, SIZE 12 FONT, TIMES NEW ROMAN, DOUBLE SPACED AND TYPED(important)
- make sure any information added from sources is traced by quotation, CITE etc MLA
- work cited is NEEDED ON LAST PAGE
CAN QUOTE, CITE AND PARAPHRASE BUT NEEDs to be traced by source in writing.
Let me know if you have any questions!
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Bilateral Relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran
Saudi Arabia and Iran have played a major role in the historical developments of the Middle East. On the one hand, Iran prides itself as the only remnant of the world’s ancient and greatest Persian Empire. At the same time, Iran acknowledges that Western powers could not colonize it (Muzaffar, Khan and Yaseen 1). On the other hand, Saudi Arabia, established in 1928, considers itself the custodian of the holy cities of Makkah and Medina. Iraq and the Persian Gulf separate the two countries on the Western and Eastern sides, respectively. Despite Saudi Arabia and Iran establishing bilateral relations in 1932, an uneasy bilateral relationship has increased, particularly after the 1979 Iranian Islamic revolution.
a) International/Systematic Level
The 1979 Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution falls under the international/systematic level because the conflict affected Iran and other nations in the Middle East. Before the Revolution, Iran was a pro west absolute monarch supported majorly by the United States. The Revolution is largely responsible for the current proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran. In 1929, the two countries signed the Friendship Treaty, which led to mutual recognition and the formation of full diplomatic relations. From the 1950s to the 1970s, the two countries made more treaties like the Commercial Agreement (1953) and the Agreement to Partition Neutral Zone (1978). However, the Iranian Revolution in 1979 was a turning point for Iran. The revolutionaries in Iran called for Middle East countries to overthrow the monarchies and secular governments and replace them with Islamic republics. Initially, this did not create tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. In July 1979, Mehdi Baargan, the first post-revolutionary Prime Minister of Iran, welcomed a delegation from Saudi Arabia. The two sides acknowledged the need to improve ties between the nations. Saudi Arabia considered the Revolution critical in improving closeness and understanding and praised the new Iran’s leadership. At the same time, the new leadership maintained close ties with the United States, an ally of Saudi Arabia. However, things took a different turn when in November 1979, 52 American diplomats were held hostage in Tehran. Iran had completely abandoned its alliance with the United States. At the same time, Islamic insurgents in Saudi Arabia in 1979 were a direct threat to the monarch. The newly formed Islamic Republic opposed the Saudi monarchy’s narrative as the leader of the Muslim world. Since then, the Saudi Iranian relationship has been characterized by opposition on major issues affecting the Middle East region.
Regional differences and proxy wars
Regional differences and proxy wars fall under the international category because of the involvement in other countries beyond Saudi Arabia and Iran. Since the Iranian Revolution, Saudi Arabia and Iran have been opposing sides. While neither divide has geared up for war, the major fight is through proxies. Iran began backing Shia militias and other related parties in other countries. Saudi Arabia was concerned about Iran's growing influence and started strengthening links with other Sunni governments. An example was the establishment of the Gulf Co-operation Council in May 1981.
Saudi Arabia and Iran have been heavily involved in supporting opposing sides abroad. For instance, the two countries have openly demonstrated their differences in Lebanon. The pro-Iran Hezbollah organization has grown while the Saudis try to exert their influence by bolstering Sunni elements. However, Saudi Arabia’s efforts have not borne much fruit. While the tensions in Lebanon have surpassed sectarianism, none of the countries has given up supporting its side. Another instance is the participation of the nations in the Syrian civil war. Iran was quick to support the Assad regime by providing fighters to boost the regime’s military capabilities. Saudi Arabia backed up the Sunni rebels opposing the Assad regime. The success of the Assad regime in the civil war is a major disappointment to Saudi Arabia.
Another instance is Yemen, which has served as an arena for competition between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Before 2011, Yemen was an ally of Saudi Arabia. Iran sought to weaken the relationship with Saudi. While the war had domestic origins, actors including Saudi Arabia and Iran, intervened for their interests. Yemen borders Saudi Arabia and sits on a considerable part of the Arabian Peninsula in the southern region. The rise of the Houthis meant that Saudi Arabia was losing its influence in Yemen. It believed that Iran had always supported the Sunni majority and oppressed the Shiite minorities. As the Yemen conflict intensified, Iran was accused of providing the Houthi rebels with money, training, and arms to overthrow the government. Saudi Arabia viewed the 2014 and 2015 coups in Yemen as a direct threat, especially with Iran gaining ground. In 2015, Saudi Arabia led a coalition of Arab states and launched airstrikes.
b) State/National Level
Diplomatic Tensions
Diplomatic tensions constitute the national level because they are events happening at the state level and affecting the relations ...