The global impact of regional conflicts should not be underestimated, as war's effects extend far beyond the immediate battleground. Currently, the world faces three significant conflicts. The Russian-Ukrainian war has profound global economic consequences, affecting not only the immediate belligerents but also nations worldwide. The war in Gaza has expanded to Lebanon and Syria, involving countries in the region such as Iran, Iraq, and Yemen. A third development in Syria involves the presence of mercenaries from the Middle East, Muslim countries, Europe, and Asia, who could potentially bring extremist ideologies back to their home countries.
European public opinion in 2016 revealed a significantly negative view towards Middle Eastern refugees, who were often perceived as an economic and political burden and a threat. This perception highlights a cyclic pattern where the West provokes conflicts in the region and subsequently blames the victims. This context gives rise to the rhetoric of a "new Middle East," a term notably used by Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu in his speeches, echoing Condoleezza Rice's 2006 description of the Lebanese civilian casualties as the "birth pangs of a new Middle East." The framing of the conflict as a "war of civilization against barbarity" or "the West and the rest" employs racist terminology, such as dehumanizing the people in Gaza as "human animals" or "barbarians," thereby justifying massacres and genocide in Gaza and Lebanon. The Iranian president has also articulated his vision for a new Middle East, which will be further elaborated.
As academicians, it is imperative to review and revise some of the taken-for-granted conceptions and assumptions about the New World Order. One such assumption is that democratic states are inherently more peaceful. However, many wars provoked or instigated in the Middle East originate from democratic states, challenging the notion that economic interdependence promotes peace. Iran, for instance, is one of the most sanctioned countries in the world, where sanctions are used as a tool for collective punishment against ordinary civilians. The idea that international organizations and corporations could bring stability has been questioned by events in Gaza. Similarly, shared values and norms, such as human rights and women's rights, are frequently violated and often disregarded, as if the affected populations are not even considered human beings. Furthermore, despite widespread public protests against the wars in Gaza and Iraq, public opposition to violence and humanitarian crises has been entirely ignored, contradicting the assumption that democratic countries seek consensus and public support in decision-making.
These observations raise critical questions: Who defines democracy, and what constitutes it? The politicized nature of democracy allows Western countries to form selective alliances that serve their interests. It is beneficial to incorporate the perspectives of non-Western academicians and scholars whose Eurocentric readings challenge these universal, taken-for-granted definitions of liberalism or liberal peace.
The situation in the Middle East is characterized by daily negative developments, including an ongoing genocide in Gaza, the end of which remains uncertain. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran adopted a new foreign policy approach based on the principles of dignity, wisdom, and prudence. This viewpoint places significant emphasis on the concept of justice, both domestically and internationally. Iran also prioritizes the concept of mostazafin (the oppressed) worldwide, a principle enshrined in its constitution. This creates a dichotomy with mustakbarin (imperialist oppressors). Iran's constitution mandates expanding relations with other Islamic and popular movements globally and opposing all forms of intellectual, social despotism, and economic monopoly. This commitment led Iran to sever ties with apartheid regimes, including South Africa and Israel, immediately after the revolution. In the current context, Israel remains an apartheid, settler-colonialist regime, perpetrating ongoing genocide in the region, and Iran remains committed to opposing it.
Iran's vision for a new era of international relations transcends reliance on Western hegemony at the regional scale. Iran seeks to support the rights and well-being of the Palestinian people, viewing justice as the central concept for achieving lasting peace amidst ongoing conflicts. In its relations with neighboring countries, Iran advocates for expansion regardless of religious and ethnic differences, countering the "divide and rule" strategy often employed by imperialist powers to exploit such distinctions as sources of conflict.
A third crucial element of this new outlook is a focus on the Global South, a commitment that began with the Islamic Revolution and has strengthened over the years. Iran recognizes the importance of collaborating with the Global South to foster mutual growth and prosperity. This is evident in the approach of Iranian officials at the highest levels, including the president, who seeks improved relations with China, India, and Russia. Regarding relations with Western powers, Iran maintains that mutual respect is the only prerequisite. Despite historically strained relations, Iran seeks dialogue and understanding with Western powers while steadfastly protecting its sovereignty.
Iran believes that the prerequisite for peace, particularly in Palestine and more broadly in the region, is the recognition that current Western liberal peace models have proven not only ineffective in achieving peace but also profoundly destructive. A new approach is needed, one that considers the unique context of West Asian problems and generates solutions emanating from the region itself. The failures of past peace initiatives, especially concerning Palestine, stem from the consistent denial of the national and political rights of the Palestinian people. Initiatives like the "deal of the century" or the Abraham Accords have effectively resulted in a "genocide of the century" rather than peace, precisely because justice and the rights of the people were disregarded.
In Iran's vision for peace, these essential rights must be acknowledged, and foreign powers, regardless of their origin, should refrain from adopting an imperial approach in the region. The well-being of West Asian countries is interconnected; as demonstrated by the current conflict, which began in Gaza and spread to Lebanon and Syria, the entire region is in turmoil. Iran fundamentally believes that any constructive relations and presence of global powers in West Asia must be based on respect for the independence and national interests of the region's people. Unfortunately, Western media and political discourse often frame Iran's regional policy as "destructive or destabilizing," a negative framing that misrepresents a far more complex reality.
To achieve this new vision for a more peaceful West Asian region, several steps are crucial. The ongoing shift towards multipolarity signifies a reduction in reliance on Western powers, both economically and politically. This involves engaging with alternative international organizations and agreements, such as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), as institutions that can offer alternatives to existing ones that have not benefited the region's people. Economic diversity is vital for combating economic sanctions, which have exacted a heavy toll on countries like Iran, impacting even the ability to import essential medications for specific genetic diseases. Finally, cultural dialogue and understanding are considered fundamental steps towards achieving this vision, as they foster cultural respect and a focus on collective interests rather than mere self-interest.
(Transcribed from recording and edited.)