Effect of Semantic System on Behavioral Patterns of Iranian Foreign Policy towards Afghanistan [A Case Study: Religion (1789-1989)]

Abstract

Elements of semantic system canform different foreign relations for countries. This study examined the role of religion in behavioral patterns of Iran towards Afghanistan (1789-1989). It aimed to reveal what statesmanship mechanisms Iran has employed to change foreign behavior of Afghanistan. According to the findings of the study,Qajar Governments used military statesmanship (war) to change the behavior of the Afghan rulers being affected by religion and its tendency to support Shi'ites. As the influence of religion on foreign policy faded away in Pahlavi Era, a diplomatic and economic statesmanship pattern (political and economic agreements) was used to change the behavior of Afghan government. As religion turned into an ideology governing Iranian foreign policy in the 1980s, a cultural-military statesmanship pattern was observed in Iran in which opponents of the communist regime in Kabul (Mujahedeen) were supported.