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Executive Summary
The activity of Iran has been of extreme concern for the whole world and countries of the Persian Gulf Region in particular. In 2000, the disclosure of Irans nuclear program became a worrying signal for the whole world. The production of nuclear weapons of massive destruction could destabilize the situation in the Middle East and aggravate the peaceful existence of other countries.
However, Irans nuclear program is not of the primary concern nowadays. Iran actively practices the policy of intervention in regional conflicts. Thus, Iranian involvement in Yemen, the Syrian crisis, undermining Kuwait and Bahrain security are warning signs for the global community. The disturbing thing is that Iran will become a significant participant in the global affairs due to the vast oil deposits.
The United States of America always played a significant role in the Middle East region. President Obama initiated another foreign policy that aimed at reducing the level of involvement in the Middle East. Such policy was motivated by the fact that the US involvement in the Middle East could have negative consequences for the country. What concerns the balance of power in the area, there is no balance due to the strategic significance of Iran and its provocative activity.
Finally, countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the UAE, in particular, and Iran are interdependent due to their location. In my opinion, Iran undermines the potential development of the countries in the Middle East via interventions and aggravation of conflicts. The problem becomes severe because of the Irans growing influence. In my opinion, GGC and the UAE should collaborate with Iran to promote at least initial improvement of the situation.
Context and importance of the problem
Irans nuclear program and general belligerence have always been a reason for much concern in the world. Nowadays, most countries aim to promote a peaceful coexistence of all states. The countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council experience economic development nowadays.
However, their prosperity is always under the threat due to the instability in the region. Despite the recent nuclear deal, the Gulf Cooperation Council, especially the United Arab Emirates, should monitor Irans actions and develop strategies for the creation of free of nuclear weapons zone in the Middle East.
Several reasons predetermine the need to address the issue under consideration. First, Iran is estimated to be the primary state that supports the global terrorism. According to this view, Iran finances, trains, and provides armory for terrorist groups to overthrow regimes in Muslim countries, Israel, and the West.
The most famous terrorist organization is Al Qaeda ( Iran: a Clear and Present Danger par. 2-3). Second, Irans support of activities in Syria and participation in the conflict in Yemen have already resulted in million deaths and an immense number of refugees. Finally, the active development of capabilities for cyber warfare, as well as smuggling weapons in Bahrain and Kuwait, demonstrate countrys danger.
Important aspects for consideration
The US vacuum from the area
The distinctive feature of the President Obamas foreign policy is the so-called vacuum from the countries of the Middle East. This decision is motivated by the excessive Americas intervention in the Middle East in the past. The results of this intervention are as follows: the dissatisfied Middle East, consequences of two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the continuous terrorist threat.
Taking all these adverse consequences into account, the President decided to follow the strategy that is more tolerant in comparison to previous ones. However, scholars argue that nothing has been changed. Iran still aims at producing nuclear weapons, the Israeli-Arab conflict is unsolved, and terrorism continues to exist (Bettiza and Phillips 11). Some scholars even argue the USs foreign policy of non-intervention resulted in the aggravation of the situation. The current example is the war in Yemen.
Balance of power
The problem of balance of power in the region is not solved yet. Several reasons predetermine this statement. First, no balance can be achieved unless the conflict with Israel is solved. Second, Irans development of nuclear program destabilizes the whole region. In case Iran introduces nuclear capabilities, it will bring extreme tension to the region. Other countries may start the production of nuclear weapons for protection.
The situation is controversial because most countries in the region want to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons. For instance, the United Arab Emirates supports this idea because it is crucial to the successful economic development. This intention makes a situation even more complicated. Countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council should negotiate with Iran as far as military pressure is impossible in such conditions ( Rethinking the Balance of Power in the Middle East par. 4-7).
Mitigation to Irans hegemonic actions
The European Union, the United Nations, the United States of America, and the United Arab Emirates imposed a variety of sanction aimed to mitigate Irans hegemonic actions. The global community had to react to Irans jeopardizing of peace in the world. All sanctions were directed at Iranian financial and energy sectors. The economy deteriorated significantly because of several rounds of severe sanctions.
Thus, the UN sanctions banned the supply of materials that could be used in nuclear-based technologies. The export of weapons was banned too. The European Union also introduced particular measures. Among them were the restrictions to conduct any financial operations with Iranian banks and transport equipment that can be utilized for the enrichment of uranium. The US sanctions are the most severe.
They ban everything except for the export of materials that can be useful for residents of the state ( Iran Nuclear Crisis: What are the Sanctions par. 1-6). The relations between the United Arab Emirates and Iran should also be analyzed from this perspective. Thus, these two countries were partners for many years. However, the UAE strongly supports the UN and US sanctions against Iran because of its nuclear activity.
GCC-Iran proxy wars
Iran is involved in several proxy wars. The Irans role is Syria is being actively discussed nowadays. Researchers consider that Irans involvement has led to the formation of the so-called Islamic State by jihadists (Xenakis par. 3-5). Officials of Bahrain and Kuwait claim that Iran attempts to smuggle weapons in their countries as well. Bahrains Foreign Ministry officially supports this statement ( Bahrain Expels Iranian Envoy over Alleged Arms Smuggling par. 2-3).
Currently, the civil war in Yemen is one more proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The most disturbing thing about these wars refers to the fact that they also destabilize the situation in the region and aggravate the progress of other countries too. As the conflict develops and increases, more countries become involved. Consequently, the region-wide crisis occurs (Tisdall par. 1-5).
Interdependence, economy, and trade
The countries of the GCC are dependent on Iran because of its natural resources and strategic location. The United Arab Emirates is involved in a variety of economic and trade relations with Iran. For instance, the share of total imports to Iran is the highest in the UAE. This relation demonstrates the UAE dependence on Iran. On the other hand, re-export system in UAE allows Iran to conduct several economic functions under sanctions (Habibi 4-5).
Critique of policy options and further recommendations
The 2015 Iran nuclear deal represents an agreement that presupposes the blockage of possible ways of receiving materials and equipment for the building of the atomic bomb.
The enrichment of uranium and plutonium is reduced by more than ninety percent. According to the agreement, the possible level of enrichment is no more than four percent ( The Historic Deal that Will Prevent Iran from Acquiring a Nuclear Weapon par. 1-5). This nuclear deal will result in the canceling of sanctions and Irans increasing influence in the global affairs. Large deposits of oil may alter the oil market drastically and result in the rapid fall of prices.
Irans current activity should be regarded as a warning sign. The combination of aggression and increasing power may result in countrys threatening and provocative behavior. The primary problem refers to the fact that the global community, as well as the UAE, recognize the importance of Iran and readiness to meet halfway.
The UAE cannot avoid collaboration with Iran in such situation. The UAE cannot stop having international trade relations with Iran due to the threat of substantial losses. In my opinion, it is necessary to promote Irans economic development only in case it proves its peaceful aims. Current activities demonstrate contrary targets of the country. It would be necessary for the UN, the EU, and the US to limit Irans capabilities despite potential threat to the oil industry.
Works Cited
Bahrain Expels Iranian Envoy over Alleged Arms Smuggling. 2015. Web.
Bettiza, Gregorio, and Christopher Phillips. Obamas Middle East Policy: Time to Decide. Web.
Habibi, Nader. The Impact of Sanctions on Iran-GCC Economic Relations. 2010. Web.
Iran: a Clear and Present Danger. Web.
Iran Nuclear Crisis: What are the Sanctions. 2015. Web.
Rethinking the Balance of Power in the Middle East. 2010. Web.
Tisdall, Simon. Iran-Saudi Proxy War in Yemen Explodes into a Region-Wide Crisis. 2015. Web.
The Historic Deal that Will Prevent Iran from Acquiring a Nuclear Weapon. Web.
Xenakis, John. World View: Russia Warns that Syria would Become a Proxy War. 2015. Web.
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