The Study of Islamic Republic of Iran Foreign Policy Orientation in Iraq (Post-Saddam) based on the SWOT Model

Providing strategy in foreign policy orientation makes the following categories important: the necessity of correct and complete understanding and manipulating of national power and strength; the requirements and characteristics of the external environment, governing rule and pattern in a regional and international environment; recognizing the opportunities, environmental vulnerability, and existing threats and many other factors. Due to the geographical and cultural proximity of the two countries, as well as their neighborhood, the expansive relations between Iraq and Iran are very essential which lead to security establishment in the Middle East. This study's purpose is to show the capability/validity of the SWOT model used in the Islamic Republic of Iran foreign policy orientation field in Iraq post-Saddam. The main question is this, “based on SWOT analytical model, what and how appropriate strategies can be presented in the Islamic Republic of Iran foreign policy orientation in post-Saddam Iraq?” SWOT model is based on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in both internal and external dimensions. Developing strategies based on SWOT is the new point of the current article. The findings show that one successful tool in the Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign policy orientation and policy-making in post-Saddam Iraq is a realistic understanding of Iraq's current situations. Proper analysis of opportunities, threats, and the associated strengths and weaknesses can determine Iran’s foreign policy orientation towards its fundamental and defined interests.

Keywords:

Orientation , Foreign Policy , SWOT , strategy , Iraq