The Politics of Strategic Survival, Influence, Values and Ideologies of Iran and IsraelProf. Farid Mirbagheri
Professor of International Relations and Dialogue Chair in Middle Eastern Studies (Retd.)
University of Nicosia
14 June 2024

Professor Mirbagheri discusses the complex political dynamics and ideological conflicts in the Middle East, particularly between Iran and Israel, that revolve around the influence of ideology on state governance. Ideology, when intertwined with religion, often acts as a destabilizing force, leading to challenges in achieving state goals. Historical examples, such as the Soviet Union and Iran, illustrate how states that are deeply rooted in ideology frequently struggle to fulfill their objectives. Iran's role in the region is significant, especially in its financial and military support for proxy groups like Hezbollah. Through these proxies, Iran extends its influence and maintains its ideological opposition to Israel, contributing to the ongoing conflict. The challenges of applying Western concepts of statehood in the tribal societies of the Middle East are also evident. In these regions, tribal loyalty often supersedes national loyalty, making governance more complex. The distinct cultural and social structures in these societies create difficulties in adopting Western-style governance, as tribalism and religiosity remain strong forces. Furthermore, the concepts of peace and security are not always synonymous in this context. Israel's relationships with its Arab neighbors reveal that peace does not necessarily guarantee security. Strategic decisions, such as the division of Palestinian groups, have had lasting impacts on regional security.

#Iran #Israel #Lebanon

Prof. Farid Mirbagheri is an academic and was formerly Professor of International Relations and held the Dialogue Chair in Middle Easter Studies at the University of Nicosia up to his retirement in 2023. A co-founder of the Cyprus Diplomatic Academy in 2010 he was its first Executive Director for two years. From 1997 to 2005 he also acted as the Research Director of the Centre for World Dialogue, a NGO committed to promoting inter-cultural dialogue, based in Nicosia.

Professor Mirbagheri was also a member of the original committee of Jubilee 2000, a global movement that has been campaigning for the remission of the backlog of unpayable debt by poorer countries. He has spoken in various international fora internationally and has written extensively. His latest books include War and Peace in Islam (Palgrave) and The Historical Dictionary of Cyprus (Scarecrow Press).