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Title: The Paradox of Israel and Iran: Unraveling Geopolitical Rivalry and Regional Dynamics
Description: Delve into the intricate geopolitical rivalry between Israel and Iran, examining their historical roots, ideological clashes, and nuclear anxieties through the lens of theoretical frameworks from Security Studies and International Relations. Explore how these two nations navigate proxy wars, sectarian tensions, and regional instability while global powers influence their intricate dance of conflict and cooperation.
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Vol. 04 No. 01. July-September 2025 Advance Social Science Archive Journal
Proxy wars and Regional Instability: Israel-lran conflict in the Middle East
Arooba Abbasi
MS International Relations, Musli...
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Author: Arooba Abbasi
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Affiliation: MS International Relations, Muslim Youth University, Islamabad
This study adds to our understanding of the Israel-
Iran conflict and its impact on Middle Eastern stability, emphasizing the necessity for a holistic
approach to addressing the underlying reasons dri...
(Hamzawy, 2025)
The Islamic Republic's regional proxies—the foundation of its regional doctrine, which was largely
established following the 2003 US invasion of Iraq and Saddam Hussein's demise—are e...
Iran, through its proxies, seeks to discourage Israeli and US attacks on its territory by constantly
threatening their interests, as well as to enhance its role in regional crises. Faced with the real...
To answer the question, we must examine the outcomes of the
war for both sides. During this conflict, lran chose a do-or-die strategy. Iran solidified its status as a middle power and
greatly improved...
(Live, 2025)
Research Design:
The current study under consideration adopts a qualitative research design, combining historical
analysis with an examination of the current elevated conflict situation...
How do proxy wars, particularly those involving Israel and Iran,
promote regional instability in the Middle East? 2. What is the impact of the Israel-lran conflict on regional security and stability? ...
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Theme 1 from the literature review: Historical Context and Evolution of Relations
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Thematic analysis involves a six-step process: familiarization, Coding, generating themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and writing up (Caulfield, 2020)
This animosity has deep roots, entwined with conflicting Middle East visions,
ideology, revolution, and nuclear anxieties. Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Israel and Iran
maintained a friendly rel...
(Maher, 2020)
The Iranian shah kept its pro-Western foreign policy and relations with Israel intact, but they were
kept under wraps in a calculated move that provided a unique meaning for the phrase "...
These cordial ties, however, between the two
states ended with the Islamic Revolution in Iran, led by Ayatollah Khomeini. This marked the end
of the Pahlavism monarchy and the establishment of the Isl...
Although in the past, despite the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the two countries’
strategic interests crossed in the 1980s. Two examples come to mind: The Iran-Iraq War, which saw Iran engage in open c...
Iran has strengthened its regional influence by using
asymmetric measures, including partnerships with Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Shia militias
in Iraq and Yemen. Iran's "Axis of Resistance" net...
context:
The document discusses the confrontation between Israel and Iran in the Middle East, focusing on proxy wars, regional instability, sectarian tensions, outcomes for both sides, a literature review on thematic analysis, and Iran's asymmetric measures to strengthen regional influence.
context:
The text includes a literature review on thematic analysis applied to the Israel-Iran conflict and Iran's asymmetric measures to strengthen regional influence.
e Theme 5: Regional Alliances and Proxy Wars
Iran's alliance with the "Axis of Resistance" is part of a larger Iranian strategy to overshadow
Israel's power in the area, as well as that of Israel's su...
Proxy wars and confrontations between Iran and Israel in the Middle
East are continually endangering the region's security and reflecting it as a highly volatile and
dangerous region, with a constantl...
operations in
Afghanistan and changed its positions on the U.S.'s involvement in both Afghanistan and Iraq. (Maher, 2020) Nonetheless, the 2002 revelation of Iran's nuclear program introduced a major
...
Popular support for Iran in
1422|Page Vol. 04 No. 01. July-September 2025 Advance Social Science Archive Journal
the region was gained by Iran's resistance to US intervention in the Middle East and ...
context:
The document discusses the confrontation between Israel and Iran in the Middle East, focusing on proxy wars, regional instability, sectarian tensions, outcomes for both sides, a literature review on thematic analysis, and recent developments such as Iran's popular support gained through resistance to US intervention and ongoing support for Israel. It also delves into Iran's use of regional proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah to challenge Israel and the US in regional dynamics. The recent Israeli strikes on the Natanz nuclear plant and the implications for Iran's nuclear program are also discussed. The text integrates theoretical frameworks from Security Studies and International Relations to provide insights into the prospective rivalry between Israel and Iran.
Theoretical Framework
Theoretical frameworks from Security Studies and International Relations can offer important
insights into the prospective rivalry between Israel and Iran. Barry Buzan, a_ Briti...
context:
The document now discusses the theoretical frameworks from Security Studies and International Relations, particularly the concept of a 'Regional Security Complex' introduced by Barry Buzan. This theory offers insights into the prospective rivalry between Israel and Iran, examining security as a social construct and emphasizing the interlinking of states' security concerns based on geographical proximity, shared experiences, and cultural affinities.
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Author of 'People, States, and Fear': Barry Buzan
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Publication Year of 'People, States, and Fear': 1983
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'Regional Security Complex Theory' (RSCT) is defined as a set of states whose security concerns are interlinked due to geographical proximity, shared historical experiences, and cultural affinities. It examines security as a social construct and focuses on patterns of amity and enmity, power distribution, and the impact of history, culture, religion, and geography on international security.
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The paper proposes examining international security through a regional lens to justify the establishment of world regions, emphasizing the socially constructed nature of security and the role of identifying existential threats for acquiring support.
(Grabowski, 2020)
Security complexes have been categorized into various classifications. One of them is conflict
formation, defined as "a pattern of security interdependence shaped by fear of war and ...
fact:
Security complexes have been categorized into various classifications.
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Conflict formation is defined as 'a pattern of security interdependence shaped by fear of war and the expectation of violence' (Buzan, 2003).
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Conflicts arise when major powers in the region engage in violent behavior.
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Governments may view one another as possible threats and form alliances to address the security dilemma situation (Buzan, 2003).
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In the recent confrontation between Israel and Iran, both countries were in a similar condition of conflict creation, where they regarded each other as a potential threat and considered themselves to be in an uncertain situation due to historical animosity.
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Global powers can have a profound impact on a Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT).
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Penetration occurs when an external power interferes with a region's security framework and plays a role in constructing such structures (Pobrano z, 2025-07-23 02:51).
According to Amitav Acharya, external powers adopt and internalize the function of regional
entities in developing regional social structures. External power policies impact regional actors'
concepts ...
fact:
Penetration happens when outside forces align security interests with states within an RSCT. According to Amitav Acharya, external powers adopt and internalize the function of regional entities in developing regional social structures. External power policies impact regional actors' concepts and behaviors. (Grabowski, 2020)
July-September 2025 Advance Social Science Archive Journal
identified by the Copenhagen School. Out of them, the military and political spheres are the main
areas where nations work to maintain secur...
Iran's
support for Hamas infuriates Israel, and Israel's unquestioning attachment to the USA is repulsive
to Iran. Since Israel has strong defensive countermeasures against Iran and Iran's economic an...
Conflicting interests, ideologies, and security concerns are the
main causes of the Israeli Iranian conflict. Iran views Israel as a rogue state that aims to safeguard
its political interests and sphe...
July-September 2025 Advance Social Science Archive Journal
The recent conflicts between them have their roots in a number of important Middle Eastern
events, including the assassination of Iranian ar...
context:
The animosity between Israel and Iran has deep roots, entwined with conflicting Middle East visions, ideology, revolution, and nuclear anxieties. Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the two countries maintained a friendly relationship based on shared geopolitical objectives and common Arab interests in the Middle East. These cordial ties, however, between the two states ended with the Islamic Revolution in Iran, led by Ayatollah Khomeini. This marked the end of the Pahlavism monarchy and the establishment of the Islamic Republic. (Ali et al., 2025) With the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty, the rejection of monarchy as un-Islamic, and the establishment of an Islamic Republic that still exists today, the revolution signaled the beginning of a significant period in the interaction between politics and Islam. (Carl Brown, 2000) Conflicting interests, ideologies, and security concerns are the main causes of the Israeli Iranian conflict. Iran views Israel as a rogue state that aims to safeguard its political interests and sphere of influence in the area, while Israel views Iran's nuclear program as a threat to its security. Israel has long been enraged by the Iran-USA nuclear agreement (JCPOA). This is why, when Israel's lobbying went successful and the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018, Israel hailed it greatly. Israel has consistently accused Iran of aiding Hamas and militants in the region and criticized the 'Axis of Resistance.' Iran, on the other hand, has consistently resisted and countered Israel's increasing influence after the Islamic Revolution; it saw Israel as an illegal rogue state in the region and has worked to counter its actions in the Middle East. 1424|Page Vol. 04 No. 01. July-September 2025 Advance Social Science Archive Journal The recent conflicts between them have their roots in a number of important Middle Eastern events, including the assassination of Iranian army general Qassem Soleimani and Israel's public celebration of it in December 2023, Israel's increased ground offensives in the Gaza Strip that increased the number of refugees and the death toll, and a suspected Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus in 2024 that killed seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard officers. Israel has always considered a nuclear-armed Iran as an intolerable threat. Tel Aviv has constantly warned that the concern is not only what Iran would do with such a weapon, but also what it would signify for the region: a potential nuclear arms race in the Middle East, empowered Iranian proxy militias, and increased overall instability. As tensions between Israel and Iran worsen, it is not just the two countries at the center of the conflict that are feeling the heat. The possible political, military, and economic impact is not limited to the Middle East, but it has global significance because several significant actors, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, actively contributed to easing recent tensions between the two countries. While the fighting has primarily involved Israel, Iran, and various proxy militias operating in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, there are signs that the conflict may expand. The recent clashes between Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and US forces in Yemen and the overthrow of the Asaad regime in Syria are signs of escalating tensions between the two countries. Certain angles of the conflict must be considered. Arab states, particularly those under the Abraham Accords, have grown closer to Israel in recent years, particularly in terms of economic and intelligence cooperation, despite the fact that public opinion in many of these countries remains broadly sympathetic to the Palestinians. However, because these are monarchical states, public opinion and mass narrative have little impact on government decisions.
context:
The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in a complicated web of proxy wars, sectarian conflicts, and regional instability. The recent attacks on each other indicate a substantial escalation in the continuing conflict, far exceeding past conflicts involving Israel and Hamas. This confrontation has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the two countries as perpetrators but also increasing the ongoing cruelty and genocide in Gaza, and further destabilizing the region.
However, because these are monarchical states,
public opinion and mass narrative have little impact on government decisions. Also, we must not forget the decade-long sectarian divide between Iran and ...
Increased diplomacy and strategic initiatives to address and resolve the underlying issues
driving the conflict, such as Iran's nuclear program and Israel's security concerns. 2. To foster a more favo...
An international body should
involve the important regional actors and concerned global actors, such as the United
States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Counc...
(2025, June 23). Al Habtoor Research Centre. Al Habtoor Research
Centre. https://www.habtoorresearch.com/programmes/war-will-redraw-middle-east
Ali, Z., Dr. Farhana Kousar, & Ahmed, S. (2025). The Is...
Cracking the Enigma: Iran-Israel Relations Unveiled A
Provocative Exploration into Global Geopolitics. Spry Contemporary Educational Practices , 3(1). https://journals.sprypublishers.com/index.php/CON...
context:
The document now explores the theoretical frameworks from Security Studies and International Relations, particularly the concept of a 'Regional Security Complex' introduced by Barry Buzan. This theory offers insights into the prospective rivalry between Israel and Iran, examining security as a social construct and emphasizing the interlinking of states' security concerns based on geographical proximity, shared experiences, and cultural affinities.
context:
The recent attacks between Israel and Iran indicate a substantial escalation in their ongoing conflict, exceeding past conflicts involving Israel and Hamas. This confrontation has far-reaching consequences, impacting ongoing cruelty and genocide in Gaza and further destabilizing the region.
Balancing deterrence: Iran-Israel relations in a turbulent Middle East. Review of
Economics and Political Science, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print). https://doi.org/10.1108/reps-06-
2019-0085
None Hess...
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Douglas-
Youvan/publication/384635597 Complex Systems in Geopolitical Conflicts Emergent Pheno
mena _ in the Israeli- Iranian _Escalation/links/67007cd39e6e82486...