Arab - Iranian relations : the concept of order in regional politics

Abstract

This study deals with the issue of Order in contemporary international relations. It examines the concept of order in both the Cold War and post-cold war period. The first chapter is conceptual in nature. It focuses on the concept of order in world politics, and provides a definition of world order and the international order. This is followed by an analysis of the two orders (old and new) before and after the cold war. The second chapter is an attempt to define the concept of balance of power. It highlights the shift of balance of power during the cold war and the post-cold war era. The third chapter provides an historical background of the Arab-Iranian relationship. The fourth chapter is a clear example of how order has fluctuated in the Middle East including assessing the changes in co-operative and confrontational relations between Arabs and Iranians in the cold war and later in the post-cold war.