Influence regions in Iran foreign policy: Political economy and geopolitical factors

This thesis study was carried out as a result of the comparative analysis of the political, military, and economic activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 5 countries, which are assumed to be the sphere of influence and selected as an example, in terms of geopolitical and political economy. Thus, the study is based on the assumption that what kind of interest Iran has gained from these areas and whether this interest is geopolitical or political economy. After answering the question of how much and what kind of benefit Iran gains from its activities in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Iraq, an investigation was conducted to determine what the main motivation behind this foreign policy choice of the theocratic regime was, and it is planned to reach a conclusion on the two-state models titled the "rentier state" and "sectarian state". In this context, with a holistic and comparative analysis on geopolitical and political economy factors, it is aimed to determine how much benefit Iran derives from its political and military activities in the spheres of influence chosen as an example at the end of the day, and thus it is aimed to reach scientific findings by explaining what the main motivation behind this foreign policy choice through analyzing two different approaches titled "rentier state" and "sectarian state". In this context, the main research question of the study can be expressed as follows: 1. As a result of the comparative analysis of geopolitical and political economy data, to explain what kind of an interest Iran has gained from the countries assumed as its sphere of influence and selected as an example in the thesis and whether this interest is geopolitical or political economy? 2. To explain the main motivation behind Iran's interventionist and costly foreign policy choices and actions through the models of "rentier state" and "sectarian state". The research questions will begin to be answered by presenting a table of internal and external factors affecting Iran's foreign policy, based on the analyzes of different authors on the factors affecting foreign policy. Afterward, an evaluation will be made on the concept of "influence" and its reflections on Iran's foreign policy will be discussed one by one and through exemplary countries. Finally, research questions will be answered by comparatively analyzing the reflections of the "rentier state" and "sectarian state" models on foreign policy over Iran. Key Words: Iran, Foreign Policy, Influence, Geopolitics, Political Economy, Rentier State, Sectarian State