Geopolitical analysis of relations between Iran and Tunisia after the events of the Arab Spring

Document Type : Original Research

Author
R. salehabadi
Postdoctoral student of Political Geography, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The region of North Africa and the Middle East is considered one of the important geopolitical regions, which has been the focus of regional and extra-regional powers for a long time. Meanwhile, in the last days of 2010, Tunisia witnessed massive protests due to the self-immolation of a young man named Mohamed Bouazizi, which entered a new phase on January 14, 2011, when Ben Ali fled. During Ben Ali's time, Tunisia had very close relations with the United States of America and France, but after the popular protests of these countries, they demanded to accept the structural changes in this country. In the meantime, the Islamic Republic of Iran also opened relations with Tunisia after the revolution in this country due to historical, religious and cultural affinities. Therefore, we can witness the expansion of relations between the two countries in the regional and international arena. This article seeks to answer this question, what factors are effective in the geopolitical relations between Iran and Tunisia in the era after the Arab Spring? In the current research, the descriptive-analytical method and Dimetal technique were used. The findings of the research showed that variables such as trade development, diplomatic relations, holding cultural events, increasing the sensitivity of Arab countries towards Iran, strategic economic dialogues and agreements, Shiite associations and alliances in Tunisia, Shiism in Tunisia, cultural diplomacy. And... in the region, it has shown a high importance in the relations between the two countries after the Arab Spring. Therefore, in order to succeed in its relations with Tunisia, the Islamic Republic of Iran should make the most of its economic and Shiite factors.


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