Suchergebnisse

AbstractThis article analyzes Iranian foreign policy since the Iranian Islamic revolution of 1979. The main questions to be dealt with are: what influences has the Iranian Islamic revolution had on foreign policy orientation and formulation of the Islamic Republic of Iran? What influences has Shi'ism had on foreign policy formulation in Iran? What impact have Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and the three presidents Hojjatoleslam Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Khatami, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had on foreign policy orientation? Have there been major shifts in foreign policy orientation during their tenures or has the overall foreign policy approach that was introduced by Khomeini after the revolution in 1979 remained the same? The article will first discuss the history of Shi'ism in Iran and its impact on politics since the introduction of Islam as state religion in the beginning of the sixteenth century by the Safavid Empire. It will then give an introduction to power relations in Iran since the Iranian Islamic revolution and analyze foreign policy orientation in Iran in four phases: (1) from 1979 to 1989, when Khomeini was the Supreme Leader; (2) from 1989-1997, during the presidency of Rafsanjani; (3) from 1997-2005, during the presidency of Khatami; and (4) since Ahmadinejad's presidency began in 2005.

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 provides a pertinent case study for such analysis, considering its distinct revolutionary phases, well-documented events (due to attention of the international community at that time), and similarities to other internal conflicts. Thus, this paper will begin by providing an historical overview of the Iranian Revolution and analysing the status of the conflict. Focus will then shift to an examination of the status of civilians involved in the revolution and associated protections. The legality (at LOAC) of the prosecution and punishment of former government officials and counter-revolutionary civilians, following the establishment of the Republic of Iran, are also considered. Finally, gaps and ambiguities in LOAC are identified before proposing recommendations to promoting greater protections and obligations for those who participate in intrastate revolutions. The emergence of an unregulated, or at least under-regulated, form of violent armed conflict must be prevented to ensure the principles of LOAC are upheld.