A Review of the Soft Power of the Islamic Republic of Iran and America in the Western Asia (Middle East)

The present article is aimed at a comparative study of the soft power of the Islamic Republic of Iran and America and a comparison of its different aspects in the Western Asia. In line with this, the theoretical framework of soft power, offered by Josef Nye, served as a suitable and comprehensive conceptual framework for the analysis of the soft power of the Islamic Republic of Iran and America and the tools and constraints of the soft power of the two countries in the region. To sustain and increase their influence, the world and regional powers have constantly tried to manage the changes in global and regional systems. The Western Asia, as a region with geopolitic and geostrategic importance, is of great significance in the dealings of the global system and its changes draw the attention of great powers including the USA. Hence, the US as a hegemonic state and the Islamic Republic of Iran as an anti-hegemonic government attempt to control and manage the changes in this strategic region using their soft power potentials. In view of this issue, the present article examines and evaluates the attributes and sources of soft power in general and the soft power of the Islamic Republic of Iran and America in particular. Following a comparative view and methodology in studying the soft power of Iran and America will make a substantial contribution toward a detailed understanding of the role and standing of the soft power of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Western Asia.