Research On The Development Of Iran-iraq Relations And Its Affect Factors In Post-Saddam Era

The Iran-Iraq relation history before the Iraq War is a history full of contradictions and struggles. Contradictions in ideology and pursuit of power and interests between the two countries are the sources of the tensions before the war. The external reason of the tensions before the Iraq War is the powers outside or inside the region that interfere Iraq-Iran’s internal affairs in order to seek regional interests maximization. Pursuit of power and interests is the endogenous power in international politics, and it also the internal reason that promote the development between the two countries in Post-Saddam Era. The interaction between structure and units in international system is the external conditions that to promote an improvement between the two countries in post-Saddam era. War is the continuation of politics and it also an important tool to deconstruct and reconstruct the relations between countries in international politics. Iraq and Iran had been gradually transforming from rival to "brother" since the Iraq War. The war in Iraq is the direct cause of deconstruction Iran-Iraq hostile relations, and it also the fist factors of reconstructing the post-war brotherhood. The reconstruction of Iraq’s political system in post-Saddam made Shiite in power, that provides the backing system and political security for the development of Iran-Iraq relations.This is also the most direct and main reason for the Iran-Iraq relations improved. The high correspondence of national interests between the two countries in post-Saddam era is the most basic motive force to promote bilateral relations continually development, such as the same roots of sectarian identity, the similar pursuit of security, the great potential for bilateral economic cooperation.In post-Saddam era, the development of Iran-Iraq relations had experienced the transformation from "relevant adjustment" to "asymmetric complex interdependence" formed and deepening. Iraq’s state institution and the base of state power source are fundamental changed after the war. This directly changes the balance of power between the two countries and it is also the fundamental reason why "Asymmetric Complex Interdependence" was formed in post-Saddam Iraq-Iran relations. In Post-Saddam Era, Iran-Iraq relations achieved all-round development in areas such as politics, security, economic, religion and culture. Iran can get "power" from Iraq though "asymmetric complex interdependence",and use political, military, economic, religious and other means to influence and permeate Iraq because of the difference of "state power resources" and "sensitivities","vulnerabilities" between Iraq and Iran. "Asymmetric complex interdependence" is not only the essential and characteristic of the relationship, but also one of the most important affecting factors between Iraq-Iran relations in Post-Saddam Era. On the one side, "asymmetric complex interdependence" provides institutional guarantees that can push Iran-Iraq relations forward; on the other side, it is also hides a concern in the future to some extent. This relationship greatly limits Iraq‘s independence and autonomy in domestic and foreign affairs, and also provides excuse for external forces interfere in the internal affairs of Iraq. With Iraq‘s strength recovery and the rise of nationalism, the future contradiction between control and anti-control will be growing in Iran-Iraq relations.The interaction between "structure" and "unit" promoted the adjustment of world system and regional landscape. The change of American‘s global strategy and Middle East strategy in post-Saddam era is the result of the interaction between "structure" and "unit", this also directly determines the external development environment for Iraq-Iran relations in Post-Saddam Era. Changing of the regional landscape not only promoted the Iran-Iraq relations, but also the formation of "Asymmetric Complex Interdependence" between Iran-Iraq relations in post-Saddam era. Such as the Iraq War, upheaval in the Middle East, the Middle East Strategic concentration of the United States(ended the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, reached comprehensive framework agreement on Iranian nuclear issue, etc.). It is American-Iranian relations and the game between the two countries in Iraq, relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the game in Iraq between the two countries that are promoting the development of relationship between the Iran-Iraq, at the same time, limiting the Iran-Iraq relations further to some extent. On the one hand, issues such as sectarianism, the rise of the extremist groups such as IS, the Kurdish problem, etc. promoted the development of the Iran-Iraq relations; on the other hand, they also worsen relations with their neighboring countries to some extent. The future of Iran-Iraq relations won’t appear too much setbacks. Security and economic cooperation will be the focus of bilateral relations. However, the relationship between Iran and Iraq still faces the impact of historical issues, border dispute and nationalism. It also will be constrained by the United States and other regional powers.