“Iran’s Shiite Influence Belt Policy: The Example of Bahraini Shiites

Year 2022, Volume: 25 Issue: 63, 377 - 400, 15.12.2022

Orhan Karaoğlu

https://doi.org/10.15745/da.1177733

Abstract

Along with the Persian perspective inherited from the Persian Empire, Shi'ism has significantly influenced and continues to influence the geopolitical and geo-cultural education of present-day Iran. With its politicization, Shi'ism has become one of the most important factors, perhaps the most important, in the formation and preservation of Iran's national identity. Iran, which is in contact with Shiites living in various regions such as Middle East-Africa-Central Asia, intensified this contact after the Arab Spring process. In this article, Shiites in Bahrain are discussed in the context of Iran's Shiite Influence Zone Policy. In the article, firstly, general information about the sociological and religious structure of Bahrain has been given, and then the characteristics of the Shiite groups and leaders in Bahrain have been mentioned. Then, the level and activities of these groups' relations with Iran, the Shiite militia groups, their characteristics, and their work on behalf of Iran are discussed. The research has carried out based on the literature review.

Keywords

Middle East, Iran, Bahrain, Sectarian, Shi

İran’ın Şii Nüfuz Kuşağı Politikası: Bahreynli Şiiler Örneği

Abstract

Pers İmparatorluğu'ndan miras kalan Pers perspektifi ile birlikte Şiilik, İran'ının jeopolitik eğitimini önemli ölçüde etkilemektedir. Siyasallaşması ile Şiilik, İran'ın ulusal kimliğinin yaratılmasında ve korunmasında en önemli faktörlerden biri, belki de en önemlisi haline gelmiştir. Çeşitli bölgelerde yaşayan Şiiler ile temas halinde bulunan İran bu teması Arap Baharı süreci sonrası yoğunlaştırmıştır. Bu makalede İran’ın Şii Nüfuz Kuşağı Politikası bağlamında Bahreyn’deki Şiiler ele alınmıştır. Makalede ilk olarak Bahreyn’in sosyolojik ve dini yapısı hakkında genel bilgi verilmiş, akabinde Bahreyn’deki Şii gruplar ve liderlerin özelliklerine değinilmiştir. Daha sonra bu grupların İran ile olan ilişkilerini düzeyleri ve faaliyetleri Şii milis gruplar, özelliklerini ve İran adına yürüttüğü çalışmalar incelenmiştir. Araştırma literatür taramasına dayalı olarak gerçekleştirilmiştir.

Keywords

Ortadoğu, İran, Bahreyn, Mezhep, Şiilik

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