Research Letter of International Relations: 5 (44)

Open Access Article

1 - Expansion of Regional Organization’s Function: Case of NAFTA
Taha Akrami Ahmad Saburinejad Seyed Davoud Aghaei

Abstract September 11 event in 2001 and its consequences made terrorism and counterterrorism, the first priority of US foreign policy in world order and regional organizations such as NAFTA. So, the main question of this article is how did US persuade other members of More

Abstract September 11 event in 2001 and its consequences made terrorism and counterterrorism, the first priority of US foreign policy in world order and regional organizations such as NAFTA. So, the main question of this article is how did US persuade other members of NAFTA to pursue and accompany US plans in its fight against terrorism? To answer this question, authors used “cognition theory” to justify functional expansion of NAFTA from economic issues to security ones. The results indicate that as a hegemon, US tried to create various motivations to persuade other countries to join this fight. To do this, US used two intellectual basis including “trade-security dependency” and “human security”. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

2 - An Assessment of Obama's Foreign Policy in the East Asian Region
Mohammad Sadegh Babakan

Abstract The United States has long regarded itself as the power of the Pacific region and the main purpose of US foreign policy is to prevent a large power or a set of powers aimed at controlling Eurasia. Earlier in 2011 the Obama administration was turning from Sout More

Abstract The United States has long regarded itself as the power of the Pacific region and the main purpose of US foreign policy is to prevent a large power or a set of powers aimed at controlling Eurasia. Earlier in 2011 the Obama administration was turning from South Asia and the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific region. This article examines US foreign policy in East Asia with an emphasis on recent history and challenges. It also examines US relations with four key political entities: Japan, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), China and Taiwan. The main purpose of the present paper is to answer the key question of how US foreign policy under Barack Obama's presidency towards East Asia can be assessed. In response to the question the underlying assumption is that Asia is once again the focus of US foreign policy attention and the Obama administration's pivot to East Asia can be seen as the most prominent sign of US pre-occupation announcing the full role of Asia in its foreign policy over the next decade. The results of the research indicate that the American strategic and economic goal is to curb the growth and dynamism of Asia and from the point of view of the realism and deterrence logic the United States will certainly endeavor to prevent China from rising as a strategic competitor in East Asia. It should be noted that the research method used in this paper is of analytical-explanatory nature and using available data. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

3 - Russia's Policy in the Syrian Crisis and Its Consequences on Iran's National Interests
Rouhollah Darayandeh hamid ahmadi

Abstract In the past few years, the Syrian crisis has become one of the most important issues in the international system and has attracted worldwide attention. Syria has become competition field for the regional and international powers which each plays a role accordin More

Abstract In the past few years, the Syrian crisis has become one of the most important issues in the international system and has attracted worldwide attention. Syria has become competition field for the regional and international powers which each plays a role according to their goals and interests. Meanwhile, the Russian Federation has always been one of the most influential international players which has played a decisive role in this field. Hence, In this article the cause and manners of Russia's policies and actions toward the Syrian crisis have been studied. Besides, knowing the fact that developments in Syria and the Russian's approach to it, has direct and indirect implications for the national interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a comprehensive review of this topic has also been made. Anyway, the main issue is that what’s Russia's policy on the Syrian crisis and its consequences for Iran's national interests? The hypothesis suggests that Russia's policy in the Syrian crisis is an attempt to create a balance in the international system and confronting existing threats posed by the United States over the security and national interests of the country which is in line with Iranian policies that provide its national interests. Nevertheless, differences in the attitudes of the two countries and their types of activism can create challenges. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

4 - Reviewing Saudi Interactions with the Human Rights Council
Abbasali Talebi Reza Jalali Amir Sajedi

Abstract Following the establishment of the Human Rights Council in March 2006, the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia has been considered by many in this institution. Given the widespread, qualified and sensitive nature of the Council's abuses of human rights abus More

Abstract Following the establishment of the Human Rights Council in March 2006, the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia has been considered by many in this institution. Given the widespread, qualified and sensitive nature of the Council's abuses of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, the question was raised about the mechanisms of monitoring and mechanisms How did the council work on how Al Saud behaved toward respect for women's rights within national borders and how far Saudi Arabia has been in line with the idea of universal human rights and what has changed? In response to the above question, it has been suggested that it seems that the monitoring mechanisms and executive mechanisms of the Saudi Human Rights Council have required reforms and compliance with human rights requirements. Research findings show firstly that country recommendations Regarding periodic reports and appointment of special reporters, there has been a greater impact on the promotion of the status of women's rights, and secondly, the traditional context in which the ideas and ideas of people and community officials were conceived and seriously violated the rights of women is under reconstruction. Thirdly, the women's efforts and their alignment with the pressures of the Human Rights Council and the media it has been the founder of a new order, which is characterized by a change in the gender system. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

5 - A comparative Study of Secularism from the Perspective of Turkish, American and French Thinkers: With Emphasis on the Justice and Development Party of Turkey
Mehdi Lakzi Masoud Ghaffari

Abstract Turkey, since its establishment by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, put one of bases and fundamental principle of its governmental system on the basis of secularism. One of the key factors of secularism in modern Turkey's Ottoman legacy is that government would supervis More

Abstract Turkey, since its establishment by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, put one of bases and fundamental principle of its governmental system on the basis of secularism. One of the key factors of secularism in modern Turkey's Ottoman legacy is that government would supervise on religion institutionally. By establishment of Republic in 1923, the state defined its interest basis on secularization and various sectarian groups. The victory of AKP in November 2002 elections, as an Islamic party, has raised important questions about the future of secularism and Islamism in the country. The main characteristics of Turkish secularism is different from American and French one and Turkish people interprets the concept not only on basis of separation between government and religion but elimination of religion from public sphere. The major controversy in Turkey is about the definition of secularism and freedom of religion that resulted from fundamental principles such as the role of religion and government. The study of existing literature about Turkey shows the earlier researches mainly emphasize issues such as security, democracy and process of Turkey joining the Europe Union, and it seems they ignored the Islamists' approaches towards their concepts and identity, especially towards secularism. Accordingly, the authors would try to answer the following questions: what is the AKP' stance on secularism, as an Islamic party? The findings of article suggest the AKP intended to separate the religion from government by accepting the secularism as a governance model in order to guarantee the religious freedom. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

6 - Russia’s Balancing Behavior in Middle East: Case Study of Iran and Saudi Arabia (2012-2018)
Seyed Hasan Mirfakhraei

Abstract Considering the first signs of shaping of a new regional order in the Middle East since 2011, Russia has taken new approaches toward this critical region. The approaches which show regaining Moscow’s role in this area. However, due to the new complexitie More

Abstract Considering the first signs of shaping of a new regional order in the Middle East since 2011, Russia has taken new approaches toward this critical region. The approaches which show regaining Moscow’s role in this area. However, due to the new complexities, the current Middle East is basically different to the past. The states are more independent and inter-connections in various areas has led to shaping complicated fronts; that each of them requires particular patterns of relations between the players. These complexities caused emergence of an empirical balancing behavior by Moscow toward regional states. The behavior based on specific approaches such as direct military intervention, counter terrorism, shaping anti-West coalitions and following up international energy strategies. The main components of Russia's balancing behavior can be summarized in emphasis on functional dimensions, playing with all state actors, task division without confrontation and interaction with non-state actors. This approach has been adopted Russia’s relations with Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia, as two key regional actors with opposite and sometimes contradictory interests, and has resulted in well and balanced relations with the two countries. Manuscript profile

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