Neo-Mackinderism and Shia’ Rimland Theory

Document Type : Scientific-Research Article

Author

Ph.D. Student of Political Anthropology. , Free University of Berlin.

Abstract

This article talks about the geopolitical and geocultural phenomenon of Shia’ by using pertinent classical theories, and through the explanation of the Rimland’s concept of Shia’ and the latter’s status as an effective factor in regional and international relations, It tries to provide an answer to the question: What role does Iran play in international equations? In fact, Shia’ and Shia’ zones are, geographically speaking, situated in the heart of Rimland and turned into an influential phenomenon in international equations subsequent to the Islamic Revolution in Iran. This Revolution which was based primarily on Shia’ ideology, transformed the country into Shia’ metropolis and at the same time caused the awakening of Shia’ population in Rimland region. The Shia’ communication of the region, mostly ruled by Sunni regions, have adopted the Iranian revolution model and endeavored to bring about changes in  the state-imposed oppressions against them. We have explored here the role of regional Shia’ communities as the peripheral zone in relation to Iran, as well as their socio-political or geopolitical status next to Iran as the center of Shia’, with the purpose of offering a geopolitical explanation of this phenomenon as an active player in both regional and international equations.

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