Suchergebnisse

Levels of Analysis is related to the explaining of causes of phenomenon (Buzan, 1995). The coming to the fore of levels of analysis in international relations was the result of the behavioral movement during the 1950s that was attempting to apply methodology of natural sciences in social sciences. Before that, traditional approaches were dominant, and they were more oriented towards history and law. The works of Kenneth N. Waltz, Morton A. Kaplan, and J. David Singer have had major roles in bringing levels of analysis into international relations (Buzan, 1995). Since then, the works of Barry Buzan and Ole Wæver have added the level of regional analysis to International Relations studies. This article reviews the three main levels of analysis and also explains the regional level of analysis in international relations.

The Hajj has always been affected either directly or indirectly by Iranian foreign policy. This article attempts to examine the impact of the Iranian Islamic regime's foreign policy, specifically with regard to Iranian–Saudi interaction on the Hajj, from its establishment in 1979 until 2010. Given the ideological approach dominating Iran's foreign policy, this article will illustrate how the relationship of Iran and Saudi Arabia has been especially frictive during the Hajj. However, with Iran attempting to pursue a more moderate and less confrontational foreign policy in the region and internationally, its relationship with Saudi Arabia has become cordial and peaceful of late, even during the pilgrimage.

Iran-Saudi relationship has constantly been frictional after Islamic revolution of Iran. In general, Saudi heavy support of Iraqi government during Iran-Iraq war and Iran's holding political demonstration so-called the Liberation from Infidels gave rise to frigidity of mutual relations of the two countries. Meanwhile, one of the means that Saudi Arabia, as ally of Iraq, applied to put Iran under pressure was oil and reduction of its price in order to decrease Iran's foreign exchange revenues in which it could not supply its essential armaments. The problems, finally, led to cutting off Iran-Saudi bilateral relations in 1988. However, after termination of the war and in the early years of 1990s, Iran's relations with Persian Gulf countries in particular Saudi Arabia improved gradually. The present article hypothesizes that Iran's internal economic necessities such as reconstruction of the war-torn areas, improvement of economic situation and also public demands for better life in 1980s, mainly resulted from Iran-Iraq eight-year war, in one hand and its dependency on oil revenues to change the terrible situation on the other hand caused Iran to re-conciliate its relations with Saudi Arabia due to its influence on oil price and quota within OPEC. The study concludes that Iran's reliance on petrodollars and its endeavor to increase oil revenues as well as regaining its previous leadership in OPEC led to renewing of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in 1991 and also their cooperation within the organization afterward.Key words: Iran; Saudi Arabia; Iran-Iraq war; Economic considerations; petrodollars