Research Article
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Fransa ve İran’ın Ortadoğu’da Rekabeti: Stratejiler, Etkileşimler ve Sonuçlar

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 53 - 81, 30.06.2023
https://doi.org/10.33201/iranian.1290314

Abstract

Bu çalışma Fransa'nın Ortadoğu, Kuzey Afrika ve Doğu Akdeniz'de (MENA) son dönemde yeniden bir güç olma arayışında olduğunu ve özellikle eski sömürgesi ülkelerde yeniden nüfuzunu pekiştirmek istediğini öne sürmektedir. Bu bağlamda MENA bölgesinde siyasi-askeri girişimlerini yoğunlaştıran Emmanuel Macron liderliğindeki Fransa’nın “Pax Mediterranea” arayışları, Paris ve Tahran’ın Ortadoğu’da İran’ın nüfuz alanı olarak kabul edilen Lübnan, Irak ve Suriye'deki rekabeti üzerinden analiz edilmektedir. Bu bağlamda Fransa-İran ilişkilerinin inişli çıkışlı seyrini jeopolitik rekabet, somut tehdit algıları ve askeri-ekonomik unsurlara dayalı realist bir perspektiften açıklamak mümkündür. Bu çalışma, bölgesel hegemonik güçlerin yükselişinin önlenmesi gerekliliğini vurgulayan neo-realist teori çerçevesinde Fransa'nın İran'ın bölgede artan etkisinden duyduğu endişenin, bölgesel düzeyde yaşadıkları çıkar çatışmasının ve İran'ın nükleer silah edinme çabalarının iki ülke arasındaki dostane olmayan ilişkilerin en önemli nedenlerini oluşturduğunu savunmaktadır.

References

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  • Kempin, R. (2021, May 28). France’s foreign and security policy under President Macron. Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik. https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/publication/frances-foreign-and-security-policy-under-president-macron/#hd-d23619e2545
  • Khoury, R. (2021, September 11). Lebanon for Oil, Monsieur Macron? Asharq Al-Awsat. https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3183386/rajeh-khoury/lebanon-oil-monsieur-macron
  • Makinsky, M. (2021, February 23). Relations between France and Iran in the Biden era. Bourse&Bazaar. https://www.bourseandbazaar.com/articles/2021/2/23/relations-between-france-and-iran-in-the-biden-era
  • Naguibzadeh, A. (2016). Coup d’œil sur les relations franco-iraniennes et l’imaginaire des Iraniens. Les Cahiers de l'Orient, (123), 99-111. https://doi.org/10.3917/lcdlo.123.0099
  • Nunez, L. (2021, October 12). Contending with New and Old Threats: A French Perspective on Counterterrorism. The Washington Institute. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/contending-new-and-old-threats-french-perspective-counterterrorism
  • Osiewicz, P. (2022, May 18). Will France's MENA policy change in Macron's second term? The Middle East Institute. https://www.mei.edu/publications/will-frances-mena-policy-change-macrons-second-term
  • Parsons, A. (1989). Iran and Western Europe. Middle East Journal, 43(2), 218-229. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4327920
  • Rudaw. (2023, February 27). Fransa ve Irak arasında stratejik ortaklık anlaşması imzalandı. https://www.rudaw.net/turkish/middleeast/iraq/270120231
  • Saadi, D. (2021, July 26). ExxonMobil seeks arbitration against Iraq's BOC over stalled West Qurna 1 stake sale. S&P Global Platts. https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/oil/072621-exxonmobil-seeks-arbitration-against-iraqs-boc-over-stalled-west-qurna-1-stake-sale
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  • Sobutin, I. (2021, Aralık 15). “A'mal-e Nafoz-e Faransah dar Shamal-e Suriyeh ba Hadaf-e Zarbe be Torkiye”. Iran Diplomacy. https://l24.im/ntZ92FY
  • Sofuoğlu, M. (2021). Lebanon’s crisis could end up empowering Hezbollah. TRT World. https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/lebanon-s-crisis-could-end-up-empowering-hezbollah-48191
  • Şakir, V. (2021, September 29). Hamgirayi Iran va Faranse dolat-e Lebanon ra tashkil dad. Iran Diplomacy. https://l24.im/cZDo
  • Tarock, A. (1999). Iran‐western Europe relations on the Mend. British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 26(1), 41-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/13530199908705677
  • Therme, C. (2023). French Nuclear Policy Towards Iran: From the Shah to the Islamic Republic. Diplomacy & Statecraft, 34(1), 117-139. https://doi.org/10.1080/09592296.2023.2188796
  • Topçu, G. (2021, September 12). Uzmanlara göre Lübnan'da hükümet, İran ile Fransa'nın uzlaşması ve ABD'nin göz yumması sonucu kuruldu. Anadolu Ajansı. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/uzmanlara-gore-lubnanda-hukumet-iran-ile-fransanin-uzlasmasi-ve-abdnin-goz-yummasi-sonucu-kuruldu/2362456
  • Walla, K. (2021, February 5). Emmanuel Macron’s plan to rebuild US-Europe relations. Atlantic Council. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/a-conversation-with-french-president-emmanuel-macron-launching-the-europe-center/
  • Yetim, M. (2020, September 28). Lübnan siyasetinde Fransa açmazı. Anadolu Ajansı. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/analiz/lubnan-siyasetinde-fransa-acmazi/1988162

France and Iran's Rivalry in the Middle East: Strategies, Interactions, and Consequences

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 53 - 81, 30.06.2023
https://doi.org/10.33201/iranian.1290314

Abstract

This study argues that France has recently sought to reassert itself as a power in the Middle East, North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean (MENA), especially in its former colonies. In this context, France's quest for "Pax Mediterranea" under the leadership of Emmanuel Macron, which has intensified its political-military initiatives in the MENA region, is analyzed through the rivalry between Paris and Tehran in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, which are considered as Iran's spheres of influence in the Middle East. In this context, it is possible to explain the ups and downs of France-Iran relations from a realist perspective based on geopolitical competition, concrete threat perceptions and military-economic factors. Within the framework of neo-realist theory, which emphasizes the need to prevent the rise of regional hegemonic powers, this study argues that France's concern about Iran's growing influence in the region, the conflict of interests they face at the regional level and Iran's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons are the most important reasons for the unfriendly relations between the two countries.

References

  • Aftabnews. (2021, September 14). Tavaghof Iran va Faranse bar sar-e tashkil-e dolat dar Lebanon/ majara chist? https://www.aftabnews.ir/news/2021/sep/14/c_15184914.html
  • Ankasam. (2017, November 16). Emmanuel Macron’un Ortadoğu Politikası. https://www.ankasam.org/emmanuel-macronun-ortadogu-politikasi-1/
  • Ankasam. (2018, May 30). Emmanuel Macron Döneminde Fransa’nın Ortadoğu Politikası ve İran. https://www.ankasam.org/emmanuel-macron-doneminde-fransanin-ortadogu-politikasi-ve-iran/
  • Ankasam. (2019, February 13). İran’ın Fırat’ın Doğusuna Bakışı. https://www.ankasam.org/iranin-firatin-dogusuna-bakisi/
  • Aras, İ. (2017). Fransa’nın Arap Baharı Politikası. Türkiye Ortadoğu Çalışmaları Dergisi, 4(2), 156. https://doi.org/10.26513/tocd.346635
  • Aydoğan, B., & Alaca, M. (2021, September 2). Macron ABD sonrası Irak'ta neyi amaçlıyor? Anadolu Ajansı. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/analiz/macron-abd-sonrasi-irakta-neyi-amacliyor/2353349
  • Azizi, H. (2021). Challenges to Iran’s Role in Iraq in the Post-Soleimani Era. German Institute for International and Security Affairs. SWP Comment (44).
  • Blinken, A. (2021, June 25). Secretary Antony J. Blinken and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian at a Joint Press Availability [Press release]. U.S. Department of State. https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-and-french-foreign-minister-jean-yves-le-drian-at-a-joint-press-availability/
  • Bourrat, F. (2020). French policy in the Persian Gulf: Economic issues and security challenges. Confluences Méditerranée, (113), 91-104. https://www.cairn-int.info/journal--2020-2-page-91.htm.
  • Clemenceau, F. (2021, February 16). Jean-Yves Le Drian: "L'insurrection aux Etats-Unis nous enseigne qu'il faut rester vigilants". Le JDD. https://www.lejdd.fr/Politique/jean-yves-le-drian-linsurrection-aux-etats-unis-nous-enseigne-quil-faut-rester-vigilants-4018881
  • Cook, S. A. (2020, September 15). Macron wants France to be a Middle Eastern superpower. Foreign Policy. https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/15/macron-france-lebanon-turkey-middle-eastern-superpower/
  • Çalışkan, S. (2023, February 6). Irak Başbakanı Sudani’nin Fransa Ziyareti. ORSAM. https://orsam.org.tr/tr/irak-basbakani-sudaninin-fransa-ziyareti/
  • Dağdelen, M. D. & Yılmaz, M. (2020). Fransa’nın Suriye Stratejisi. SETA. https://www.setav.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20200625-Fransan%C4%B1n-Suriye-Stratejisi.pdf
  • Dagher, M. (2021, September 23). The Secret Behind French Interest in Iraq: A Geostrategic Analysis. Center for Strategic and International Studies. https://www.csis.org/analysis/secret-behind-french-interest-iraq-geostrategic-analysis
  • Dourian, K. (2021, September 14). Iraq Secures Largest Foreign Investment in Two Decades With Total Energies Deal. Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. https://agsiw.org/iraq-secures-largest-foreign-investment-in-two-decades-with-totalenergies-deal/
  • El Karoui, H. (2017, August). A new strategy for France in a new Arab world. Institut Montaigne. https://www.institutmontaigne.org/en/publications/new-strategy-france-new-arab-world
  • Euronews. (2021, August 28). Macron: ABD çıksa bile Bağdat isterse Fransız askeri Irak’ta kalmaya devam eder. https://tr.euronews.com/2021/08/28/macron-abd-c-ksa-bile-bagdat-isterse-frans-z-askeri-irak-ta-kalmaya-devam-eder
  • Fayet, H. (2022, November). What Strategic Posture Should France Adopt in the Middle East? Etudes De L’ifri. https://www.ifri.org/en/publications/etudes-de-lifri/focus-strategique/what-strategic-posture-should-france-adopt-middle
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  • France 24. (2021, August 30). Afghanistan, Sahel, Iraq: Already on the campaign trail, Macron seeks to boost his global image. https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210830-afghanistan-sahel-iraq-already-on-the-campaign-trail-macron-seeks-to-boost-his-global-image
  • Hardan, M. (2021, April 27). France seeks foothold in northeast Syria. Al-Monitor. https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/04/france-seeks-foothold-northeast-syria
  • Harvey, F. J. (2021, October 26). France Aims to Up Its Influence in the Middle East and North Africa. Inside Arabia. https://insidearabia.com/france-aims-to-up-its-influence-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa/
  • Hershco, T. (2018). Macron’s proactive position on Iran: Dialogue vs. sanctions. Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, (775). http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep16903
  • Kempin, R. (2021, May 28). France’s foreign and security policy under President Macron. Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik. https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/publication/frances-foreign-and-security-policy-under-president-macron/#hd-d23619e2545
  • Khoury, R. (2021, September 11). Lebanon for Oil, Monsieur Macron? Asharq Al-Awsat. https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3183386/rajeh-khoury/lebanon-oil-monsieur-macron
  • Makinsky, M. (2021, February 23). Relations between France and Iran in the Biden era. Bourse&Bazaar. https://www.bourseandbazaar.com/articles/2021/2/23/relations-between-france-and-iran-in-the-biden-era
  • Naguibzadeh, A. (2016). Coup d’œil sur les relations franco-iraniennes et l’imaginaire des Iraniens. Les Cahiers de l'Orient, (123), 99-111. https://doi.org/10.3917/lcdlo.123.0099
  • Nunez, L. (2021, October 12). Contending with New and Old Threats: A French Perspective on Counterterrorism. The Washington Institute. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/contending-new-and-old-threats-french-perspective-counterterrorism
  • Osiewicz, P. (2022, May 18). Will France's MENA policy change in Macron's second term? The Middle East Institute. https://www.mei.edu/publications/will-frances-mena-policy-change-macrons-second-term
  • Parsons, A. (1989). Iran and Western Europe. Middle East Journal, 43(2), 218-229. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4327920
  • Rudaw. (2023, February 27). Fransa ve Irak arasında stratejik ortaklık anlaşması imzalandı. https://www.rudaw.net/turkish/middleeast/iraq/270120231
  • Saadi, D. (2021, July 26). ExxonMobil seeks arbitration against Iraq's BOC over stalled West Qurna 1 stake sale. S&P Global Platts. https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/oil/072621-exxonmobil-seeks-arbitration-against-iraqs-boc-over-stalled-west-qurna-1-stake-sale
  • Saoud, D. (2021, July 15). Lebanese fear Iran's influence in efforts to resolve crisis. UPI News. https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2021/07/15/lebanon-Iran-influence-Lebanon-Hezbollah/8661626289787/?u3L=1
  • Sarı. İ. (2022, September 14). The tactical partnership and paradoxes between Iran and the PYD in Syria. Mena Affairs. https://menaaffairs.com/the-tactical-partnership-and-paradoxes-between-iran-and-the-pyd-in-syria/
  • Sayle, T. A. (2017). French Foreign Policy since 1945: An Introduction. Journal of Cold War Studies, 19(4), 239-241. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26925735
  • Sobutin, I. (2021, Aralık 15). “A'mal-e Nafoz-e Faransah dar Shamal-e Suriyeh ba Hadaf-e Zarbe be Torkiye”. Iran Diplomacy. https://l24.im/ntZ92FY
  • Sofuoğlu, M. (2021). Lebanon’s crisis could end up empowering Hezbollah. TRT World. https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/lebanon-s-crisis-could-end-up-empowering-hezbollah-48191
  • Şakir, V. (2021, September 29). Hamgirayi Iran va Faranse dolat-e Lebanon ra tashkil dad. Iran Diplomacy. https://l24.im/cZDo
  • Tarock, A. (1999). Iran‐western Europe relations on the Mend. British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 26(1), 41-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/13530199908705677
  • Therme, C. (2023). French Nuclear Policy Towards Iran: From the Shah to the Islamic Republic. Diplomacy & Statecraft, 34(1), 117-139. https://doi.org/10.1080/09592296.2023.2188796
  • Topçu, G. (2021, September 12). Uzmanlara göre Lübnan'da hükümet, İran ile Fransa'nın uzlaşması ve ABD'nin göz yumması sonucu kuruldu. Anadolu Ajansı. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/uzmanlara-gore-lubnanda-hukumet-iran-ile-fransanin-uzlasmasi-ve-abdnin-goz-yummasi-sonucu-kuruldu/2362456
  • Walla, K. (2021, February 5). Emmanuel Macron’s plan to rebuild US-Europe relations. Atlantic Council. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/a-conversation-with-french-president-emmanuel-macron-launching-the-europe-center/
  • Yetim, M. (2020, September 28). Lübnan siyasetinde Fransa açmazı. Anadolu Ajansı. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/analiz/lubnan-siyasetinde-fransa-acmazi/1988162
There are 43 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects International Relations
Journal Section Makaleler
Authors

İsmail Sarı 0000-0003-2623-2494

Early Pub Date June 23, 2023
Publication Date June 30, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 7 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Sarı, İ. (2023). France and Iran’s Rivalry in the Middle East: Strategies, Interactions, and Consequences. İran Çalışmaları Dergisi, 7(1), 53-81. https://doi.org/10.33201/iranian.1290314

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