Understanding Iran-Hamas Relations from a Defensive Neo-Realist Approach

Year 2020, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 385 - 409, 31.12.2020

Ali Abo Rezeg

https://doi.org/10.33201/iranian.760658

Abstract

This paper aims at understanding the dynamics behind the Iranian support for the Sunni Palestinian group Hamas by analyzing the mutual relations from a defensive neo-realist approach. The paper begins with a historical overview of Iran-Hamas relations and the periods that saw these relations being improved or deteriorated. It then addresses the defensive neo-realist approach in terms of the basic ideas proposed by Kenneth Waltz, the founder of the theory of neo-realism, and the differences between his view and the offensive approach suggested by John Mearsheimer and others. The third part of the paper examines the defensive neo-realist analysis on the relation between states and non-state actors by testing Iran as an inspector for soft power in the Sunni-majority region, and, the probable threat that can be defended by this relation. It also deals with the difficulties averting Iran from becoming the sole hegemon in the region and how Iran takes advantage of this relationship to maintain a dominant role in the Middle East and how the latest rapprochement between two Gulf countries and Israel would contribute to consolidate that relation.

Keywords

Iran, Hamas, Neo-Realism, Defensive Realism, Soft Power

Savunmacı Neo-Realist Bir Yaklaşımla İran-Hamas İlişkilerini Anlamak

Abstract

Bu makalenin amacı, İran ile Filistinli Sünni grup Hamas arasındaki ilişkileri ve İran’ın gruba verdiği desteğin ardındaki dinamikleri, neorealist bir bakış açısıyla analiz etmektir. Makalede, İran ve Hamas ilişkilerinin iyileştiği veya kötüye gittiği dönemler tarihsel bir bakış açısıyla ele alınmıştır. Neorealist teorinin kurucusu Kenneth Waltz tarafından savunulan temel fikirler ışığında, savunmacı neorealizm incelenerek Mearsheimer ve diğerleri tarafından savunulan saldırgan yaklaşım ile arasındaki farklar ortaya konmuştur. Makalenin üçüncü bölümünde, Sünni çoğunluğu barındıran bölgede yumuşak güç denetmeni olarak İran masaya yatırılmış ve bu bağlamda olası tehditler incelenerek savunmacı neorealizm bakış açıları ele alınmıştır. Son olarak İran'ın bölgede tek başına hakimiyet kurmasını engelleyen zorluklar, İran'ın bu ilişkiyi Orta Doğu'da dominant pozisyonunu sürdürmek için nasıl kullandığı ve yakın dönemde gerçekleşen iki Körfez ülkesi ile İsrail arasındaki yakınlaşmanın bu ilişkiyi pekiştirmeye nasıl katkıda bulunacağı incelenmiştir.

Keywords

İran, Hamas, Neorealizm, Savunmacı Realizm, Yumuşak Güç

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