The Role of Geopolitical Interests of Prominent External Powers in Dealing with the Persian Gulf Issues

In this paper, the main goal is to analyze the impact of geopolitical interests of the two superpowers in their foreign policy attitudes toward the Persian Gulf. The author asserts that the post-World War II rivalry between the United States and the USSR ended with the end of the Cold War. However, Russia nominated itself as a self-appointed successor of the disintegrated Soviet Union and has continued the Russian involvement in the Persian Gulf region for political and economic reasons. Russia’s policies toward the Iran-Iraq war, its attitude toward the second Persian Gulf war for the liberation of Kuwait, and its relations with the southern Persian Gulf states are examined. Regarding oil and gas resources of the Persian Gulf as one of the most important factors influencing American policies toward this region, he scrutinizes the changing role of the US in regional developments since the end of WW II.