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Shia in Iran and in other parts

The world is witnessing profound transformations related to the nature of international relations. In light of a heightened prevalence of terrorism across the globe, international security has become increasingly threatened. The fluctuating landscape of international relations in light of this threat has drastically changed political maps in the Middle East.

Not all countries display a vested interest in working towards greater global security through healthy international relations. The United States of America has historically occupied a hegemonic leadership position in the area of mediating international stability. The Middle East is considered by many to be an intrinsically conflict-prone place in need of border restructuring to promote harmony. The emergence of new countries, such as Kurdistan, is shaking up politics in the region. This is in addition to the reemergence of other countries, such as Ahwaz, that existed as Arabistan before Iranian occupation, and is now seeing the native Arab population rising up to demand geopolitical, economic, and cultural independence. The land of Ahwaz is located in a crucially important geopolitical crux.

Alfred Thayer Mahan, the United States naval officer, and historian, said the geopolitics of any area directly impacts the identity of the country. As such, the region of Ahwaz has a uniquely important value placed upon it due to its strategic location and resources. This value is the direct reason why Ahwaz has been occupied by the Iranian regime for so long with a history of some Western support. Just recently, Kurdistan won its independence referendum in Iraq. More than 90 percent of the Kurdish people in Iraq voted favor of independence. There have also been attempts by Kurds in Syria to vie for their own independence. There is no doubt that the success of Kurds to achieve independence was due, in part, to steadfast support from many powerful countries in the world.

The Kurdish referendum in Iraq is a new phenomenon whereby an oppressed people have successfully sought independence after a lengthy occupation. Since Iran is the main supporter of terrorism in the world, it is safe to assume that perhaps this referendum will also inspire other oppressed minorities living under the yolk of the Iranian regime to also seek their own autonomy.In the Middle East, a new state will soon emerge – that of a United Kurdistan. This country will come from uniting the Kurdish regions of Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Turkey. The future existence and stability of such a state will be quite contentious, as a United Kurdistan will immediately face troublesome relationships with all four countries it had won autonomy from. Potentially, all four of these border countries will besiege the region – cutting off a united Kurdistan from the international community. However, there is one way for those in Kurdistan to reach international waters through the Arabian Gulf, and that is via the land of Iranian occupied Ahwaz.

Ahwaz has been occupied by Iran with British support since 1925. Ahwaz possesses a geographical and geopolitical location that is of great importance to a United Kurdistan. At present, Kurdish-Ahwaz relations are strong and amicable. Perhaps only with cooperation from Ahwaz will Kurds be able to access international waters. This is especially important to note considering Ahwaz is still under Iranian occupation.The two regions of Kurdistan and Ahwaz have massive potential to foster smoother relationships between powerful players in the region. Disrupting the autonomy of either would have a great probability of generating the opposite effect.

 

C: Mostafa Hetteh, S: aLiBz

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