Iran’s Dual Political Voice–Part Two
Does Iran’s governing framework and prevailing religious ideology create mixed political messages for the West? Why is the Iranian leadership fixed on the notion of nuclear development and the eventual acquiring of a nuclear weapon? Is there reason to believe that Iran will use its growing Eurasian alliances to influence geopolitical outcomes in the Middle East? Does the Bible give us a future perspective for the people of Iran? Iran plays a strategically important role in the Persian Gulf–economically and militarily–and because of its proximity to the Gulf States, Iran naturally acts as a critical geopolitical link between Eurasia and the West, and a stepping-stone to the vital sea gate that is the Suez Canal. Consequently, the significance of Iran’s geostrategic role and commercial link to the Gulf region is not lost on the rising Eastern powers of China and India, and the geopolitical value of these factors is certainly not overlooked by Russia. Especially as Russia is currently involved in a military and political conflict with Ukraine–a conflict that has certainly demonstrated Iran’s strategic significance to Eurasia. Now, to better understand the measure of Iran’s current military and economic roles, and to grasp its potential as a political partner with Eurasia, we need to take into account the historical roots of Iran’s ties to China, India and also to Russia. To do this we begin with China. There are still lingering fears of Japan even today. Just as there are currently growing fears that other nations–like the United States–might attempt to isolate and commercially threaten China. Leading to increasing tensions in the South China Sea, and bringing about a direct confrontation that would disrupt the trade of necessary goods to a population of more than one-billion people, and perhaps leading to a prolonged and escalating military conflict in Asia. Making it reasonable to say that the controversial Nine-Dash Line (sometimes Eleven-Dash Line) may well be viewed by China as a means to establish a space or platform for a “New Ledo Road,” a road that is marked by the military stations that have been strategically placed throughout several islands of the South China Sea. Ensuring a protected trade route to the West and the Near East, and revealing the strategic importance of Iran to Eurasia. For we should keep in mind that Iran’s ties with China take us back to the time of the ancient Silk Road, but in more recent times we see that China and Iran have signed a 25-year cooperation agreement that includes “political, strategic and economic” components, in the context that Iran also sees China as a future ally–economically and commercially–against the United States. Noting also that China is Iran’s number one oil customer and trading partner, and a supplier of Iran’s military technological assistance. As well as being a key player in helping Iran develop its nuclear program, while working to protect Iran from international sanctions and shielding Iran in the United Nations Security Council. Bringing us then to Iran’s relationship with India. Which is also ancient. For many centuries trade existed between the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia through the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, and for some time in the modern era Iran and India did have a common border prior to the India/Pakistan partition and India’s independence in 1947. Iran is also the second-largest supplier of crude oil to India, and India is one of the largest investors in Iran’s oil and gas industry. Noting, for example, the strategic importance of the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline and also the developing North-South Transport Corridor that will link India with Russia. (India is the world’s 5th largest economy.) Leaving us then to address Iran’s relationship with Russia. In an incident of history, similar to that of China, we see that when the German military advanced into the then Soviet Union in 1941, cutting off many supply lines to Russia by the following year, there remained only a few routes left to supply assistance to Russia, one of which was through the country of Iran. It was called the Persian Corridor. This made Iran a pivotal player in the region during the war as this route to Russia extended back around the Gulf States, through the Suez Canal and into the Mediterranean Sea, which made Egypt a critical State for Russia’s continued access to Europe and the Middle East. (The Suez Canal was nationalized by Egypt in July of 1956.) From this historical standpoint, we should not think it peculiar when we hear political rhetoric coming from Russia today that resembles expressions related to the events of World War II. For example, Russia’s response to NATO’s continued enlargement, and involvement in Ukraine–calling them “Nazis”–tells us that Russia still has a lingering fear of Western Europe. Whether or not this is a warranted view, and despite the fact that Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, we cannot help but see that NATO expansion steps on a political nerve, and the result has made Russia determined to hammer out its own “nine-dash line” through eastern Ukraine and into Crimea. While at the same time, Russia is also cultivating a new military and political “Persian Corridor” with Iran. With significant consequences for the future of Tükiye (Turkey) and its continuing role in NATO. Consequently, we should not find it surprising that Iran is reciprocal in its relationship with Russia. Not only as a reaction to sanctions, but as a means to bolster Iran’s strategic alliance with Armenia in the Caucasus, and to work with Russia in Central Asia, Iraq and Syria. Enabling Iran to play a more active part in a presently forming Eurasian colossus, while also allowing Iran to become an important partner to a greater Eurasian political and economic structure that may at some time in the future attempt to rival the West. Resulting in Egypt possibly becoming an extension or projection of Eurasian influence, and a necessary protectorate of Iran, Russia, India and China. (Part of Iran’s influence is extended into Central Asia by means of the