The Global Strategy of the United States in Relation with the Islamic World: A Perspective from Iran

Abstract

An objective appraisal of the U.S. Strategy towards the Islamic world and Iran would not be possible without considering the different approaches in the U.S. establishment. Generally speaking, those policies have been mostly shaped and influenced by the events of September 11, 2001. Considering the Islamist as the main source of threat, the Islamic world was presented to the American public with many different faces; dividing Islamic groups and forces into hardliners, moderates, reformists, political, non-political, etc. With the U.S. attack on Afghanistan and Iraq and the subsequent increase in the power of Shias' in these target countries along the rising power of Iran, a fundamental change in the geopolitical landscape of the region has occurred.1

Following the demands by Shia's throughout the region for having their denied share in political and economic power in their respective countries, the outcry of emergence of the "Shia Crescent" was uttered and subsequently an alliance between Sunnis regimes, Israel and the United States was invoked in order to confront Iran and the new emerging Islamic forces in the region. Meanwhile, the feeling of non – confidence and threat was reverberated on both sides making the problems even more complicated. In that process, the influence of the Israeli lobby and Christian rights (Evangelists) in the United States has led to the formation of an aggressive and negative approach toward the Islamic world. In fact, American radical Christian and Jewish groups have demonized existing diverse factions within Islamic world as Islamic radicalism, while giving the prescription for confronting them with military means.

However, when American strategy is focused on Iran, it obtains many dimensions, holding global, regional and bilateral aspects. At the global level, the issue of Islam with all its relevant issues come to fore; like Political Islam, the relation with other major faiths especially Christendom and Judaism, the inter-religion dialogue, and etc. Other issues with global dimension are issues related to arms control and disarmament, where nuclear disarmament stands high on the agenda. At regional level, the role of Iran as an emerging regional power with presence in the Persian Gulf, Caspian Sea basin, Central Asia, and the Middle East is considerable. At bilateral level, the turbulent relation of Iran and America overshadows almost every other strategic issue in their relationship. From another angel, since ideology with religious fervor looms high in the foreign policy agenda of Bush administration, its impact on American global strategy is noticeable. This article intends to review the relations between the United States and the Islamic world, while examining factors, thoughts and attitudes involved in America’s decision-making regarding the Islamic world and especially toward Iran as a rising power with the role that it can play in Iraq and security of the region.

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