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16 J. Pol. Stud. 1 (2009)

handle is hein.journals/jlo16 and id is 1 raw text is: Pak-Iran Relations in the Post-Imperial World Dr. Lubna Abid Ali Abstract The continuing interaction between the peoples of Iran and Pakistan is centuries old. It has its roots in historical, cultural and lingual affinity. 'From the time of first sustained Muslim influences', states Howard Wriggins, 'the models for political structure and processes as well as religious inspiration and cultural influences came from Iran and not the Arab Middle East.' The trajectory of Iran - Pakistan relations has been shared by not only the domestic and regional dynamics but also due to the impact of global correlation of forces. As the title indicates, this paper is an attempt to analyze the situation of Pakistan-Iran relations in the post-imperial world. Background of the Issue Before proceeding to the main discussion of this issue it would be appropriate to mention here the pertinent observation of Gearge Nethaniel Curzon who says: 'Turkestan, Afghanistan, Transcaspia, Persia to many these names breathe only a sense of utter remoteness or a memory of strange vicissitudes.... To me I confess, they are the pieces of a chessboard upon which is being played out a game for the domination of the world.'2 Iran and Pakistan are thus located astride the two great energy routes of the world, i.e., The Persian Gulf - Caspian Sea, and Makran Coast, sea lanes of Arabian Sea connected with Indian Ocean. As reflected above, this study charts the evolution of Pakistan-Iran relations through several phases; the 1979 revolution, Iran-Iraq war, Afghan war, US intervention in Afghanistan, Khatami's civilizational, discourse, Iran-India-Pakistan gas pipeline project, Iran's nuclear stand off and the role of regional and global powers. In the 19th century, the British defined Persian question in terms of the decline of imperial Iranian state and the management of that decline. The Iranian question facing the US in the 21st century is that of the birth of modern Iranian state and its reemergence as a regional power. The Iranian question in the context of Pakistan's interaction is about a relationship and its transformation. Thus, in this perspective, the underlying assumptions of critical theory3 with its Howard Wriggins, Changing Power Relations between the Middle East and South, Orbis (Fall 1976): p. 787. 2George N. Curzon, Persia and the Persian Question, Vol. 1 (Frank Cass: London, 1966), pp. 3-4. 3 Jennifer Sterling Folker (ed.), Making Sense of International Relations Theory, (New Delhi: Via Publishers, 2007), p.158.