The geopolitics of Iran according to the theory of geographical buffer spaces

Abstract

With the occupation of India by one of the global powers namely Britain (1770), and its territorial expansion toward the West and Iran's borders, Russia (the other global power) started its expansion and moved towards the Indian Ocean and Iran's north borders from the first of 19th century (1804-1813/ 1826/1828). Britain from East and South and Russia from North entered into Iran's borders, and buffered Iran and Afghanistan in order to not to separate them form each other. In the rivalry pattern of buffered states, their geographic spaces should be separate. Low power geographic space is required between the powers. Geopolitical boundaries of these two powers should not get into contact because in such a case, the possibility of conflict can arise. So, the buffer space takes the form of vacuum space between the buffered powers. The research main question is that what is the nature, functions, characteristics and political behavior of a geographic buffer space? Which geographic values and functions cause buffer space to be a buffer space and attract great powers? In this research, a new definition of buffer space is presented, and the process of formation of buffers (the whys and wherefores), functions and characteristics of buffers in two internal and external dimensions are investigated. Then, the validity of the variables is investigated using library and field findings, and is used in the process of evaluation of internal and external experts. The results are analyzed using statistical methods and SPSS. Finally, these variables are evaluated in the context of Iran.