Kohmeini’s Ideology and Iran’s Grand Strategy PDF

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Kohmeini’s Ideology and Iran’s Grand Strategy- Takruh 

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The most suitable way to begin the study of Iran’s foreign policy is to examine Khomeini’s ideals, aspirations, and perceptions of the world beyond the seminary. o Weaved revolutionary agenda into national identity Monarchy as agent of religion sector Rearranged social economic order and constructed progressive society based on religion and reason o Saw Islam as basis for any governing order o Declared clergy as the only suitable rulers during period of occultation During his exile, Khomeini not only undertook a radical reinterpretation of Shiite doctrines but also managed to forge a national opposition movement to the shah. o Reached out to student groups in America and Europe and kept ties with clergy. o Nationalism and territorial demarcation are relics of past o Ironically denationalism was supported by a nationalist Iran  (Nationalism being a western concept) Called for Iran to be nucleus of middle east that was rooted in Persian greatness A caricatured concept of the West soon became the central pillar of his Islamist imagination. Disunity among Muslims, the autocracies populating the region, the failure of the clerical class to assume the mantle of opposition, and the young people’s attraction to alien ideologies were all somehow byproducts of a western plot to sustain its dominance over Islam’s realm. Saw the relations between America and Middle East as good and evil. The oppressed were victims of Western imperial aggression. International values were meant to sustain Western hegemony. Iran’s purpose-“ to liberate the discontented masses of Muslims, whether they live in the independent states of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco or under the non Islamic government. o Advocated a policy of nonalignment just like the previous opposition leaders o Also wanted a portion of religious taxes to go to Palestine Thought Muslim realm could reclaim its genuine independence only through greater unity Two problems keeping Iran as a leading role o Shiah- Shiites o Persian Ethnicity Iran’s constant defeat by the Israeli arm had further eroded their legitimacy and the Palestinian plight was a glaring reminder of the regions failures. By exploiting factional divisions, the ruthless employment of terror, and the adroit use of foreign crises, Khomeini not only displaced his rivals, but also created an Islamic Republic that could not easily escape the burden of his legacy Called for nationalization, redistribution of wealth, and an anti-American foreign policy found a receptive audience among many progressive circles. Reconciled religion and democracy

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On the eve of the revolution, it was still unclear whether Iran would become the theocratic regime that Khomeini envisioned or a state commanded by moderate forces. The vast and varied nature of the revolutionary coalition that over threw the monarchy meant that the calculating Khomeini had to proceed with caution and eliminate his rivals by exploiting their differences and generating external crises to galvanize the populations. o Bridge final gap between modern intellectuals and the religious society. In the midst of revolutionary chais, Bazargan sought to create a government of competence, institute a rule of law, and establish international responsibility. 1979- revolution is over and reconstruction ahs begun o however, Khomeini wanted to impose his model of governance of the Left o created parallel government was to not just destroy the vestiges of the old order but also to consolidate his vision.  Factions sought to appeal to his authority for advancement of their agenda  As a result K was in a position to arbitrate all of the disputes and manipulate the situation by turning one faction against another. The early constitutional debates demonstrated an important difference between K’s ideology and his insistence that sovereignty rest with his clerical designates, parliament and the president became a source of controversy. Some of his younger followers do not support creation of representative intuitions. o Therefore no contradiction between a narrowly defined clerical cadre assuming power and the expansion of the democratic infrastructure. o Elections seen as a mean of mobilizing the poor The birth of the reform movement and persistence of popular agitation for change would prevent K successors with an explosive political change o Iran would not serve as an agent of American power in the Persian Gulf but would pursue ties based on respect and equality. Iran served as Model for all Muslims and lead them to reclaim their societies. o Islamic revolution not an Iranian one…Islam recognizes no boarders 1972-constition was voted for an passed 99% society looked to K to help when Sadaam invaded Iran Second republic was manned by K’s clerical loyalists in the name of Islamic militancy. The theocracy developed institutions with their own mindset and sense of automy. K was a trendsetter and ade important adjustments to normative Shiite political philosophy with its historical emphasis on clerical disengagement from daily politics. Iran sustained animus long after such hostilities proved disadvantages and self defeating. The theocratic regime would remain a state perennially divided against itself- with pragmatists and radicals batting one another...