Introduction to International Politics
Foreign Event Analysis
| Locale | ![[]](http://www.kvasaheim.com/flags/flag15-ir.png "Flag of Iran") | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Title |
Broken Borders
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| Summary |
Pakistani drug smugglers have claimed responsibility for the murder of sixteen Iranian police officers. In June, the officers had been manning a check point in Saravan, a small town in southern Iran, when the Pakistanis seized the officers killing three during the kidnapping. The Pakistanis, members of Jundallah (army of God), were hoping to use the police officers as part of a prisoner swap. Based in Pakistan, Jundallah is responsible for large levels of violence and drug trafficking across the Iranian border. The failure of the prisoner swap finally ended in the murder of the remaining police officers.
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| Analysis |
The presence of large numbers of US troops in the region, including Afghanistan and Iraq, has caused a shift in the region’s balance of power. Iranian officials have viewed the US as the most dangerous threat to Iran’s sovereignty. The apparent weakness of the Iranian border further devitalizes Iranian power in the region. The ability of drug smugglers to permeate Iran’s border and kidnap sixteen police officers is particularly worrying due to the recent trend of US forces ignoring borders to chase terrorists, as exemplified in both Pakistan and Syria. It is important for Iran to present a credible deterrent to the US to stabilize the region’s balance of power. Iran’s first move should be to stabilize and secure its border with Pakistan.
The movement of drug smugglers between Pakistan and Iran is a situation in which Iran must take charge. Pakistan is incapable of enforcing law and order on its periphery regions. In addition, the anarchy that exists above the state level prohibits the involvement of a higher power to secure the border. Therefore, the mission of securing the border falls in the hands of the Iranian government, particularly its military and security forces. As a rational actor, the Iranian government will seek to impose its dominance over the Sistan-Baluchestan province.
Reestablishing complete security in the Sistan-Baluchestan province is a priority for the Iranian government. The prevention of drug smugglers crossing the border will act as a demonstration of Iranian military power and present a credible threat to possible US action. From an international standpoint, the inability to maintain domestic security demonstrates a weak state. Iran will need to exhibit its ability to neutralize these smugglers in order to maintain its influence on regional politics.
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| Perspective |  | Realist |
| In-Region URL | ||
| Out-of-Region URL | ||
| Submitted | December 5, 2008 at 02:19 am | |
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