Western observers point to Iran’s increasing influce in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yem as an indication that it has acquired an unprecedted position in the Middle East.
Some ev speak of the dawn of a new Persian Empire. But those who are aware of Iran’s many structural weaknesses would disagree.
In an editorial for Frch newspaper Le Monde, rowned journalist Alain Frachon wrote that following several chaotic evts in the Middle East such as the Arab Spring and the fight against jihadists, only one country has be able to reinforce its power: Iran.
Remarkable Historic Ruins In Persia
The region betwe the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea is under Iran’s control, and Iran dictates the contemporary history of the Middle East for the first time since the collapse of the Persian Empire in the sevth ctury, Frachon added.
Frachon’s assessmt is based on Iran’s military involvemt in the region. However, in the 21st ctury, power is mainly defined by both geopolitical and geo-economic factors.
In the geopolitical realm, land, population, the number of pottial troops, quality and quantity of military equipmt, among other things, are of importance.
Persian Empire Of Iran, Successful Iranians
In geo-economic terms, the position of the country in international trade and investmt, GDP, national living standards, the strgth of the national currcy, the number of powerful companies, and technological abilities are esstial.
Defeating ill-equipped and divided militia forces with the help of Russia is one thing, but rebuilding Syria and making it a stable country again will take much more than sding in 30, 000 fighters and weapons.
Supporters of the theory that Iran has gained a significant powerful position in the Middle East ignore Iran’s geo-economic weaknesses and overemphasize some of its short-term geopolitical advances.
History Of Iran: Sassanid Empire
In fact, a country garners real power wh it can rely on strong economic structures, and that is exactly what Iran lacks.
For instance, Iran faces a serious water crisis. Eisa Kalantari, head of Iran's vironmtal organization, rectly said that due to the water shortage, landmarks of the country’s millia-old civilization were at risk of perishing within 15 years. As groundwater becomes overused, land sinks, and historic monumts collapse.
Or let’s look at Syria. Defeating ill-equipped and divided militia forces with the help of Russia is one thing, but rebuilding Syria and making it a stable country again will take much more than sding in 30, 000 fighters and weapons.
Iran And The West: Cultural Perceptions From The Sasanian Empire To The Islamic Republic: Margaux Whiskin: I.b. Tauris
Iran's heavy reliance on oil income, the severe weakness of its industry, a high unemploymt rate, widespread corruption, a lack of proper economic infrastructure such as a well-functioning banking system, weak foreign trade, and a weak national currcy are some of the obstacles that prevt Iran from becoming a real regional power.
Furthermore, not long ago, Iran faced an immint risk of economic collapse. According to Presidt Hassan Rouhani in 2013, wh he first assumed office, the country was on the edge of bankruptcy.
“If oil exports had stopped, the governmt would have faced serious problems in running the country and covering people's basic needs. At the same time, the inflation rate would have gone up in an unprecedted and exorbitant manner, ” Rouhani said during this year’s presidtial election.
The Iranian Empire Cracks, At Home And Abroad
Another reality to consider is that Iran has used its Shi’ite networks and military intervtions to fill the huge void created in Iraq, Syria, and Yem. It operated in countries and societies that had lost effective ctral governmts. Therefore, its power play paid dividds.
Considering all these, serious doubt should be expressed about the claim that Iran has become a dominant power in the Middle East.
In fact, a country garners real power wh it can rely on strong economic structures, and that is exactly what Iran lacks.
For instance, Iran faces a serious water crisis. Eisa Kalantari, head of Iran's vironmtal organization, rectly said that due to the water shortage, landmarks of the country’s millia-old civilization were at risk of perishing within 15 years. As groundwater becomes overused, land sinks, and historic monumts collapse.
Or let’s look at Syria. Defeating ill-equipped and divided militia forces with the help of Russia is one thing, but rebuilding Syria and making it a stable country again will take much more than sding in 30, 000 fighters and weapons.
Iran And The West: Cultural Perceptions From The Sasanian Empire To The Islamic Republic: Margaux Whiskin: I.b. Tauris
Iran's heavy reliance on oil income, the severe weakness of its industry, a high unemploymt rate, widespread corruption, a lack of proper economic infrastructure such as a well-functioning banking system, weak foreign trade, and a weak national currcy are some of the obstacles that prevt Iran from becoming a real regional power.
Furthermore, not long ago, Iran faced an immint risk of economic collapse. According to Presidt Hassan Rouhani in 2013, wh he first assumed office, the country was on the edge of bankruptcy.
“If oil exports had stopped, the governmt would have faced serious problems in running the country and covering people's basic needs. At the same time, the inflation rate would have gone up in an unprecedted and exorbitant manner, ” Rouhani said during this year’s presidtial election.
The Iranian Empire Cracks, At Home And Abroad
Another reality to consider is that Iran has used its Shi’ite networks and military intervtions to fill the huge void created in Iraq, Syria, and Yem. It operated in countries and societies that had lost effective ctral governmts. Therefore, its power play paid dividds.
Considering all these, serious doubt should be expressed about the claim that Iran has become a dominant power in the Middle East.