Neorealism

The League of Arab States (also known as the Arab League) is well past its sixth decade of establishment. However, it has a long way to go to achieve the objectives enumerated in its charter. In a sense, there is much stronger propensity towards disintegration than integration in the League. This article seeks to study the reasons that account for the failure of such integration in the Arab League. Current trends in the Arab Union are studied through the lens of Neorealist Theory. To that end, the paper seeks to find an answer to this question: What are the reasons for the failure of integration in the Arab League? The main hypothesis of this article is that the member states’ main concern is survival, security, and relative gains rather than convergent cooperative behaviors conducive to integration; as a result, six decades after its birth, integration is yet to be achieved.

Realism is one of the approaches that has long been considered as the dominant paradigm in the study of international politics and has played an important role in shaping it. So, it has been criticized by many theoretical schools of international relations. To address these challenges, neorealism led by Kenneth Waltz sought a methodical and scientific reading of realism that conformed to conventional scientific principles and had the ability to explain international relations. The result of Waltz's attempt was neorealism based on the assumptions of positivism. Opposite to positivist views for the analysis of international politics are the religious theories of international relations. Islamic theory is the most important high-powered religious theory for understanding, explaining, and interpreting international politics. This article seeks to express the meta-theoretical foundations of both neorealist and Islamic theory and to take steps to develop the theoretical framework of the Islamic theory of international relations.

The significance of having an alliance was defined in the Great War when weak European and strong countries decided to ally to fight the mighty power of the Central Powers. Afterward, fragile countries decided to join strong alliances to overcome threats from their neighbors. The Second World War was another example of being allied with strong countries to cope with threats from Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and the Japanese Empire. During the Winter War and Russia-Ukraine War, Finland, and Ukraine, respectively, resemble weak countries with limited military and economic capabilities taking on a dominant and belligerent force. Neorealism is one of the structural theories in International Relations, which states that states intend and follow the balance of power to ensure their security. Neorealism posits that security organizations and alliances are vital tools in the pursuit of balancing threats and ensuring national security. This research aims to highlight the importance of alliances with Russia's neighbors to avoid future conflicts with Russia. The main question of this research is why Russia's neighbors need to form or join alliances to hedge against Russia's aggression and assist member states in reducing the large amount of budget spent on military expenses. This research argues that Finland's position in 1939 and Ukraine's in 2022 are the consequence of self-reliance under an anarchic system without having an alliance and leading to final defeat or territory cession. This paper argues alliances can secure European countries and act as a shield from Russia's threats. This research will employ the explanatory method as its research method.

The relationship between Iran and European countries dates back centuries, rooted in a long history of interaction shaped by mutual interests and shifting geopolitical contexts. Given this deep historical background and their unique strategic circumstances, both parties remain vital to one another. The evolving landscape of opportunities and threats in Tehran–Brussels relations has led both Iran and the European Union to consistently reassess their bilateral ties. In this context, Iran and the EU take into account Europe's economic, political, and security capabilities, alongside the broader trajectory of their longstanding relationship. A critical turning point in these relations has been the European Union's strategic shift from a normative approach—grounded in the promotion of values such as human rights and democracy—towards a more security-oriented posture. This transformation has significantly influenced the nature of Iran–EU engagement. This article addresses the central question: Why has the EU's strategy toward Iran shifted between 1993 and 2024? To answer this, the study adopts a comprehensive approach, drawing on the theoretical frameworks of Neorealism and Constructivism. It argues that while the European Union has historically positioned itself as a normative power—basing its external actions on shared European values—external pressures, including the 2008 financial crisis, migration flows, and the rise of right-wing populism, have increasingly pushed the EU toward prioritizing security concerns. The research employs a qualitative methodology to analyze this shift, offering insights into how structural and ideational factors have shaped the EU's evolving stance toward Iran.