A NEW SHIFT IN POWER FOCUS ON THE EVE OF THE NEW CENTURY

During the past century the focal point in the world order has changed for several times. The change in the global order will lead to changes in politics and international relationship and new definition of the national interests. For instance the early years of the past century started with World War I (1914- 1918), which finally led to the creation of League of Nations with the support of the US President Woodrow Wilson ,not lasting for long, however. The shaky and unstable order after WW I finally ended with the beginning of the bloodiest war of all time with record in casualties and costs, damages. The end of WW II resulted in a new world order in which two super powers evoked from the ruins of the war in Europe. The war changed the world forever and it shifted the center of world power which lasted for centuries in Europe to Washington and Kremlin. The political, social, economical conflict between the new super powers inflated another war, Cold War, for half a century (1945-1991). Due to the rivalries during the Cold War, Europe was made the main focus and the center of the international politics and power struggle particularly for the US. To maintain peace and national interest treaties were signed such as NATO.  Apart, The US supported the democratization and liberalization of the European State such as Italy, Germany. Other than, America mainly helped to build institution worldwide such as UN, UNICEF, UNESCO, WTO, and IMF chiefly to maintain its national advantage and enhancing and improving social, economical, cultural conditions in countries around the world.

Cold War in Europe ( 1945-1991)

By the end of Cold War and the collapse of the USSR, world order changed anew. The US as the main global power shifted its focus from Europe, which was relatively, advocate of expanding democracy and sharing same values with the US. No major conflict in Europe, Berlin Wall dismantled and now EU is relatively in peace. Currently, the Middle East is the center and focus of US diplomacy and politics. Middle East is a geographical and cultural region located in southwestern Asia and northwestern Africa. In a broader sense Pakistan and Afghanistan could be included in this region. Middle East is playing a major role in world economy, more than 65 per cent of world oil reserve contained in the region .It is key in politics as well , nearly 90 per cent of its people are Muslim. The political structure, history and regional diplomacy have added to the importance of this region much more, as well. For instance frequently and repeatedly the events of the region are appeared in the headlines of the world media, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. September 11 attacks boosted the importance of the Middle East in US national interest. Although since long years ago the US has had military presence in the region and invaded Saddam in 1991 but mainly it is seeking to keep and develop its influence in the region, anew.



Middle East

 It is highly believed that the trend is akin to what happened in Europe during the Cold War, building democratic and liberal institution, supporting capitalism, freedom of media, etc. Apart, to reach its advantage US is trying to introduce some countries in the region as an imminent threat to the regional stability. The values which are supported by the US, in some cases by the use of arms, do not resemble the many of the states’ in the region. So, for the reason that Iran is located in the territory, naturally it is concerned about and interested in its national interest and it is increasingly thought that Iran actively plays an important role in the stability of the sphere. To reach and maintain the national and regional interest cooperation, by stressing out on commonalities such as Islam and shared values and historical ties should be accentuated to help to boost the domestic stability as well as regional.