Ayatollah Sistani, Islamic Realism and Peace and Security in Iraq

After the fall of Saddam, the seminary of Najaf Ashraf, was able to start a new life. In the meantime, the role of Ayatollah Sistani, in this period has been very prominent. The most important components of his personality based on the principle of Islam are: paying attention to the facts and striving to ensure the peace, security and interests of Iraq. Now, considering his prominent religious figure in the Islamic world and the Shiite authority of Ayatollah Sistani, the question in this study is how to analysis his strategic successes by avoiding politics in the equations of power inside Iraq? To answer this question, scholars have used the theory of Islamic realism and have come to the conclusion that: Ayatollah Sistani had achieved an effective and purposeful combination of Islamic principles and international norms that allowed him to establish and strengthen peace in Iraq, through limited and definite cooperation with foreign forces.