نشریه مطالعات تاریخی جنگ
سال ششم شماره 3 (پاییز 1401)

The Sasanians were one of the important dynasties that gained power in the Iranian plateau. Given the geographical conditions and location, as well as their vast territory, it was impossible for this government not to be influenced by its environment. Geographical position was effective in the outburst of military operations of the Sasanians and their defensive and offensive battles in different internal and surrounding regions and during the period of their rule. This research concerned the effect the geographical position had on the military actions and defensive tactics of the Sasanians. The results of this descriptive-analytical research that collected data using library sources show that the Sasanians coordinated their military actions with the specific geopolitical and strategic situation of their territory, and their military actions were influenced by the geographical location of the Iranian plateau. The establishment of long military fortifications in the eastern, northeastern, and southwestern regions along with the military divisions made by the Sasanians, all were influenced by their geographical position.

One of the constant challenges of the upper reaches of the Euphrates River and western Greater Armenia throughout history has been the existence of military tensions between neighboring political powers over how to gain control of the Van strategic region. These challenges entered a new phase during the Safavid and Ottoman rule, and religious and political disputes between them created another confrontation in that area, which continued with ups and downs during the years 907-1049 AH. The present descriptive and analytical study, using historical sources, seeks to illuminate the question of the policy and goals pursued by the abovementioned powers in the Van region, which led to the emergence of long military conflicts between them. Research findings show that different motives have historically, politically, militarily, religiously, ethnically, and economically contributed to the ongoing conflict between the two governments. The Safavids, relying on religion, military power, and diplomacy, however, were not able to defend Van and the surrounding cities against their powerful rival, the Ottomans. As a result, they were finally forced to accept defeat on the basis of a formal agreement with the Ottomans and agree to Van's permanent separation from the historical territory of Iran.

Ismail Agha Shikak, known as Simko, who had entered into conflicts with the central government since the years of the constitutional revolution, finally failed in the summer of 1922 and fled across the border, but after his repeated requests, the Iranian government finally pardoned him and allowed him to return. Shortly after returning to Chehriq, Ismail Agha tried to expand his power again and started another rebellion in 1926, but this time he was also defeated by the government forces and found no other option but to flee to the other side of the borders. Based on the available documents and sources, and using a descriptive-analytical method, the present research tries to answer the question of why Simko rebelled again despite being forgiven by the Iranian government. The findings of the research show that he rebelled under the influence of some internal and external factors, such as the competition with his long-time rival Omar Khan Shikak, the actions of General Amir Ahmadi, his treatment by government officials, Turkey's interventions, as well as his concern about Treaty of Friendship of 1926 between Iran and Turkey.

The crisis in Iran-Iraq relations during the period of Baathist rule between the years 1971 to 1975 reached its highest point. Despite this, however, the tensions remained at the level of verbal conflicts and border clashes and never resulted in a full-scale war. In this regard, the following questions can be posed: Why despite the crisis in relations, these tensions never led to an incident like the imposed war? What factors effected Iran's success in the 1975 Al-Jazeera agreement hence imposing its will on the Iraqi side? The government of Iran gained a superior position due to its success in the material areas of the "state-nation building" process and the achievement of indicators. This importance brought success in diplomatic fields and battlefields. The presenent descriptive-analytical research tries to investigate this issue by relying on the information available in historical sources. The findings of this study show Iran's success in the relative implementation of these indicators changed the nature and fate of the relations between the two countries during these years. And this is one of the most important reasons for Iran's success in competing with Iraq.

Tange Tamoradi battle in 1309 SH occurred between the government of Reza Shah and the tribe of Boyer-Ahmad over the modernization programs of the Pahlavi government towards the nomads and the violent behavior of the Pahlavi soldiers towards the heads of the tribe and the common people, which ended with the military success of the Boyer-Ahmadis against the government forces in a place called Tange Tamoradi, located 50 kilometers from the modern city of Yasouj. The Boyer-Ahmadis were in favor of non-war, but the Pahlavi government considered the repression of tribes as part of the necessities of a powerful central government and a modern society. Therefore, the current research with a descriptive-analytical historical approach answers the question of the consequences of the aforementioned battle on the social life of Boyer-Ahmad people. The research findings show revenge of the defeat of the 1307 SH battle of Do Rag Mado, the economic benefits of southern oil fields and suspicion of nomads in the historical experience of the conquest of Tehran in 1288 SH as well as the constitutional revival has played a role in Reza Shah's military attacks on Boyer-Ahmad region. Therefore, there are many social consequences, including the forced-gradual transition from nomadic life to settlement, weakening of livestock economy, establishment of the military rule, intensification of mental and physical pressures on ordinary people, execution of some chiefs of Boyer-Ahmadi tribes of nomads, the forced migration of the nomads to neighboring areas, poverty, theft and social damages on the social life of the affected areas, that can be counted.

In the Caucasian wars during the reign of Fath Ali Shah, the difficult field and diplomatic conditions of Iran against Russia led to the idea of the closeness of two regional rivals, that is, Iran and Ottomans, against Russians. France initially proposed this plan in the form of a diplomatic structure, but its turning toward Russia foiled the plan. Abbas Mirza tried to advance this plan with the Ottomans under the slogan "Islamic Alliance" and pursued this policy until the signing of the Golestan Agreement, making numerous efforts to fulfill this alliance. With a descriptive-analytical approach and using Turkish sources, the present study answered the question of the obstacles encountered by the Iranian-Ottoman plan of alliance. The results showed that the deep-rooted problems between Iran and the Ottoman Empire did not allow the two powers to build mutual trust in order to create a common front against Russia. The Turks were also very suspicious of Abbas Mirza and his plan and viewed the idea of a military union against Russia more as a superficial move to impress Russians and gain the upper hand in future peace negotiations. This lack of trust eventually led to the failure of a field alliance.