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Abstract

This dissertation will explore the impact of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 on the relationship between Iran and Iraq, with a particular focus on how Iran has benefitted from the American involvement in the region. The main argument proposed is that Iran has upended the balance of power and risen its regional control as a result of the invasion. Since the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq in 2011, Iran has emerged as Iraq's most influential foreign power. The dissertation employs the theories of neorealism and milieu shaping to understand and analyse the balance of power and Iran's ambitions to shape the region and Iraq specifically, in a way that benefits and advances Iranian goals and ambitions.
The subsequent chapter structure is built on these objectives, with chapter one establishing the theories relevant to the dissertation and the ways in which they aid in understanding the research topic. Chapter two focuses on the reason why Iraq is important to Iran, exploring the political, strategic, and economic importance Iran sees in Iraq and ultimately why Tehran sees this as a key part in realizing their ambitions. Chapter three analyses the Iranian government's actions during the occupation and assesses the motivation behind these actions, including the Iranian sponsored insurgency in Iraq from 2003. Chapter four explores the actions of Iran after the occupation, looking at Iran's foreign policy, and how from the fall of Iraq, Iran has built a new order.
The dissertation argues that with the United States eliminating the threat of Saddam Hussein and the Baathist party and the ending of the American occupation in Iraq, there was a huge political gap left in the region and the potential for a powerful new player to exercise control over Iraq. Iran, who had been growing more powerful and influential in Iraq, benefitted from this vacuum created and has moved into the gap as the regional power, seeking to increase their influence over Iraq. Overall, this dissertation provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the US invasion of Iraq on Iran and Iraq, shedding light on the complex dynamics of regional power politics in the Middle East.

Course: International Relations and Politics - BA (Hons) - C0694

Date Deposited: 2024-01-11

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14277.html