An Alternative Look at the Foundation of IR of Iran's Foreign Relations: Its Strategic Culture during (1979-1989)
Subject Areas :Homeira Moshirzadeh 1 , Majid Kafi 2
1 - Department of International Relations, University of Tehran
2 - University of Tehran
Keywords: Imam Khomeini, strategic culture, Keywords: Iran, defensive strategy, perceptual mapping,
Abstract :
Abstract: The present article tries to analyze Iran's strategic culture in the immediate post revolution era i.e. the first decade after the formation of Islamic Republic of Iran, a period which is highly influenced by the late leader of the revolution, Imam Khomeini, as the major decision maker in the country. The authors by a scientific method have drawn a comprehensive picture of the strategic culture of Iran on the basis of Imam Khomeini's perception. The article seeks to discover the main components and features of strategic culture in this period through a study of thirty three speeches of Imam Khomeini. These speeches are analyzed in order to show the cognitive map of Imam Khomeini about important issues. It is assumed that this cognitive map can reveal the connection among various factors that would lead to peace and security. The above cognitive map shows a distinctive approach to the issues of threat and defense. Although components such as emphasis on national power, military strength, national spirit and popular support are more conventional, elements such as the will of God, martyrdom seeking, justice seeking and other related values give this culture a particular distinctiveness. It is argued that distinctiveness can be seen as a model for an Iranian theory of security.
_||_