نشریه مطالعات سیاسی جهان اسلام
پیاپی 37 (بهار 1400)

The purpose of this article is to examine the economic competitiveness of Iran with other countries in the region such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Egypt; In this way, a kind of understanding of economic power in front of other regional competitors could be achieved and it was possible to gain a proper understanding of capabilities, economic capacities and exploit them in order to increase economic growth and development.

The research method is descriptive-analytical and its purpose is practical. The present study is conducted in two dimensions. In the first stage, the required data and information were studied through documentary and library studies, including documents related to power and economic development. Then, the goals, important strategies to achieve the goals and capabilities of Iran's economic power were entered into Meta-SWOT software.

The research findings show that according to the advantages and capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran in comparison with the target countries, there is a significant competitiveness that can increase the economic power of Iran in the horizon of 1420 according to resources and capabilities.

The results show that the most important advantages of Iran's economic power over competitors (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan) are having young manpower, abundant natural and hydrocarbon reserves, high number of mines and geopolitical position. They are valuable and reliable in the field of economic competition of the country and variables such as change of policies and programs along with change of governments; Lack of diversity in financing instruments in the capital market; Weakness of the country's diplomacy; Lack of mobility and dynamism in total and per capita production; The size of the government; International sanctions are considered to be the biggest obstacles to the country's economic development.

The Arab world experienced unprecedented events during the last decade, led to revolutions in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, which also affected Yemen. The nationwide protests in Yemen began in 2011 against the government of Ali Abdullah Saleh, and continued with his departure and the coming of the transitional government of Mansour Hadi. Along with Mansour Hadi's withdrawal from power, the armed presence of Ansarullah, and the Arab-led invasion of Saudi Arabia, the crisis turned into complex dimensions. Therefore, the main purpose of the present research is to investigate the role of the Security Council in the crisis in Yemen.

In order to achieve this goal and provide an answer to the question, descriptive - analytical research method has been used, relying on documentary and library data.

The strategic and geopolitical importance of the state of Yemen, because of neighboring the most important strategic strait of the world (Bab Al-Mundab), and the Red Sea, well illustrates the fact that any kind of conflict in this country will causes confrontation of the regional and transnational powers. In this regard, the United Nations especially Security Council have taken steps to resolve the Yemen crisis peacefully.

Findings of the research show that the Security Council has adopted resolutions and statements to play a role in Yemen crisis, but because of the political considerations of U.S as the major member of the Security Council especially about the Saudi intervention in Yemen, it failed in resolving the crisis.

The purpose of the study is to examine the role of axis of Resistance in Southwest Asia, which has become the basis for the Proximity of the two opposing poles of the region- the Arab Conservatives and the Occupying Regime.
The Method used in the Study is Descriptive-analytical and uses Copenhagen Security Theory as a Theoretical Framework.
The victories of Hezbollah in 2006 and Hamas in 2008 over the occupying regime in Jerusalem, in the first stage, caused great concern in the hearts of the leaders of that regime, and in the second stage, caused the conservative axis to worry about the influence of the resistance axis led by the Islamic Republic of Iran.Thus, the weakening of the resistance Axis with the creation of Iranphobia and Hezbollah in the International system and the Islamic world became a common factor of these two poles.
The 2011 Syrian Crisis is the most important factor from defensive to offensive by arming Takfirist groups in Syria in order to weaken the Axis of Resistance and cut off its strategic highway and align the issue with the strategy of the Occupying Regime in Jerusalem. Two opposing poles of identity have become the geopolitical weight of Southwest Asia.

The Ansarullah movement in Yemen, as an Islamic and Shiite movement, is one of the movements which is formed as a result of acquaintance with the Islamic Revolution and being inspired by its ideals and ideasand while following the discourse of resistance, has established the nuclei of resistance in Yemen; Today, this movement is the main player in the developments in Yemen and one of the main components of the axis of resistance in the regionand has been able to defend the independence and territorial integrity of Yemen in an unequal war with Saudi Arabia and its allies. Given the importance and prominent position of the Yemeni Ansarullah movement in the regional equations and developments of this country and its deep ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, it is necessary to recognize the components that affect the identity and political culture of this movement. The purpose of this article is to answer the main question ‘what are the main components of resistance in the political culture of the Yemeni Ansarullah movement?’ This article uses a qualitative method (documentary analysis) and a constructivist approach to answer the main research question. The findings of this study show that the most important components of resistance in the political culture of the Yemeni Ansarullah movement involvepopular roots of the movement,Islamism,anti-arrogance(anti-Americanism and Zionism), justice, independence and peace, the prominence of the leadership. Ansarullah movement is a dynamic, strong and flagship movement based on the original ideas of the Zaydi religion, especiallyThe two principles are to rise up against oppression, and to command what is good and forbid what is evilwhich has been able to gain widespread influence in Yemeni society, even among the Sunnis. The political culture of this movement is rooted in the religious beliefs of the Zaidi Shiitesand is ideologically influenced by the Islamic Revolution of Iran and if it dominates the strategic Strait of Bab al-Mandeb, it can strengthen the sovereignty of the axis of resistance in the region.

Examining the political actions of Yemeni Shiite groups is the main concern of this article. Yemeni Shiite groups, especially the Imams, Ismailis and Zaydis, make up a large part of the Yemeni Shiites. They ruled the country for more than a thousand years, but lost power in 1962 with a coup sponsored by Egypt. The method of this research is content analysis using Quentin Skinnery's theory.   Findings show that the Twelvers and the Ismailis are under the umbrella of the Zaidis in Yemen, and the Yemeni social contexthas been such that led to the emergence of different characters and various currents of thoughts among the Zaydi Shiites. The results show that Zaydi's interpretation of the concept of Imamate, although in the theoretical field has given him a moderate approach compared to other Shiite sects, but in political actions has led to radical actions and political pragmatism. The result of these actions has been influenced by their background and thought context in the past.

Idealism approach in international relations believes that arms proliferation results in aggravation of conflicts and brings war, recommending disarmament as the solution.  Oppositely, Realism approach highlights chaos and anarchy among countries, but in order to solve the security puzzle puts forward two views: defensive realism and offensive realism. Defensive realism believes that in an anarchy, countries should proceed toward agreements in order to yield security. But, offensive realism explains that states foster their military power in order to gain security by attaining dominance and hegemony. Since no country tend to drop behind the others, a race will engender on the raising armaments that is called Arms Race. This study aims to assess the arms race among western Asia countries including Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Israel during 1977-2018.

Theoretical model is based on Richardson Model and empirical study uses times series econometrics, particularly Vector Error Correction Models (VECM).

Results show that Iran and Israel are experiencing arms race. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are unilaterally affected by Israel's military expenditures.

Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey all react to Israel actions, that is, Israel is the instability factor of the West Asia. Furthermore, there is evidence of arms race in the West Asia and so an immediate action is necessary.