GeopoliticalStrength in Religious Ties: How Diplomatic Relations Between the Vatican and Post-Revolutionary Iran have Bolstered Iranian Resilience

Abstract

Numerous players influence those at the helm of the global political stage. Yet dominant state powers, especially democratic ones, remain at the forefront. They set the tone, reshape borders, dictate trade, and attempt to instill peace in times of instability and turmoil. In the today’s world, where information is immediate and no global event is “unsearchable,” traditional rules are no longer uniplanar as to what international relations and diplomatic means may drive intrastate dialogue and change. Unlikely players can hold immense power. This thesis outlines one salient example of significant impact relating to relations between two unique, noncentral players: the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Holy See (herein referred to as “the Vatican”). At face value, most would not think that these two bodies share much in common. Beliefs, social norms, and political disposition vis-à-vis the rest of the world, are vastly different. Yet, upon deeper inspection we find many similarities, shared beliefs, common causes, and appreciation for what each represents. Importantly, both entities hold significant political and spiritual power over their citizens and adherents. Contrast this with the most powerful political authority on Earth, the United States. Hailed for democracy and freedom fighting, feared for its mighty military, and envied for its development and wealth, the U.S. sits at the top of all global powers. But this position comes with immense responsibility and expectations. Not only is the U.S. expected to assist in maintaining global stability, but the democratic values of the country’s leadership and its citizens empower it to export democracy to all who will listen and even to those who will not. While sentiments had been building for decades, the terror attacks of September 11 exacerbated intolerance for dissimilar players. If you are not democratic, it is difficult to be viewed positively by the U.S., however it is the right of individual nations to determine what political structure will bind them and that democracy is not always the choice. Some nondemocratic entities are benign, such as the Vatican, while others present an adversarial threat to democracy, for example, postrevolutionary Iran. Ironically, these two are similar politically in that they both follow theocratic principles. But one heads a list of top five foreign policy priorities and threats to the U.S., and the other heads a list of friends, eager to be engaged in times of needed counsel. Through this thesis, I will show how the U.S. and the Western world find relations with the Vatican useful when convenient. On the other hand, I will outline how a deeper, religious bond between the Vatican and Iran has come to supersede the mere diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and the Vatican. I will explain how Vatican– Iranian relations have yielded unexpected gains for Iran and have bolstered their political body when most of the world has stood against them.Extension Studie