The Shi ite Crescent Project: Objectives, Obstacles and Consequences

In recent years, various developments in the Middle East have pointed to Iran’s increasing role and influence. Therefore, some countries in and out of the region have suggested that Iran is trying to establish a Shi’ite bloc in order to increase its power, and threaten the interests of Sunni states, the US and Israel. Given the obstacles existing for the establishment of such a bloc, the question arises as to why the US, Israel and some Arab states talk widely about the threat of the Shi’ite crescent? In this paper, the reasons that above countries emphasise the so-called plan for establishing such a bloc as well as obstacles on the way of establishing it are considered.