Sectarianism as an identity conflict within the scope of power struggle in Middle East

In international relations, identity and power are critical notions mutually affecting one another, which enable us to understand states' perceptions of each other and their actions accordingly. In this context, with regard to power struggle, the role of sects as an identity in individuals, societies and states affects the relations between states, and may cause sectarianism. The level of this effect depends on, the role that sects are playing in identity construction; how society and state define themselves; perceptions and reactions of decision makers in states' politics and definition of the ally and the enemy; the power of states in domestic and foreign politics and power struggle; regional and international environment, and above all the intersubjective meaning as a result of these. In this thesis, within the scope of the above mentioned, it is discussed whether sectarianism is the primary problem between Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Islamic Republic of Iran, and why, how and when the sectarian politics are implemented in the power struggle of these two states in Middle East. In this study it is concluded that Saudi Arabia and Iran whose state identities are based on religion, carry out sectarian politics towards each other from time to time in order to secure sustainability of their regime and to be an effective actor in Middle East. Although this causes some disagreement between them, sectarianism is not the primary reason for the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, but rather an outcome and also an instrument used in their power struggle.