Saudi-Iranian relations in the twenty-first century: between the balance of power and the balance of identities

Zaalouk, Adel

doi:10.21608/esalexu.2022.213945

Saudi-Iranian relations in the twenty-first century: between the balance of power and the balance of identities

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Adel Zaalouk

Political Science Lesson - Faculty of Economics and Political Science - Alexandria University

10.21608/esalexu.2022.213945

Abstract

The research focus on exploring the mater of fact of the Saudi Iranian relationships, and what is the best way to study these relationships? Is balance of power, Balance of identity", or Henry Nau’s model the best way to pinpoint the reality of these relationships. The study will investigate the effectiveness of ideological factors on nature of relationships between two countries.
Methods
To achieve the purpose of the study, the researcher rely on the empirical method and some analysis and observations will based on a methodology of foreign policy theories and models, such as: balance of power, Balance of identity", and Henry Nau’s model. The theme of the research is addressed in two parts: the first one deals with the theoretical framework (the definition of balance of power, Balance of identity", and Henry Nau’s model), Whilst the part two deals with the Saudi-Iranian conflict between “balance of power” and contradicting identities
Results
The results showed that the conflict is a grand feature of Saudi Iranian relationships’ features, and the conflict relation due to a lot of ideological and realistic factors.
Conclusion
the “Henry Nau’s model” is the best way and the convenient approach to understanding the nature of Saudi Iranian relationships over the twenty first century.

Keywords