US AND THE GULF SECURITY SINCE THE REVOLUTION IRAN

This strategic analysis examines United States security policy in the Persian Gulf region following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, assessing the transformation of American approaches to Gulf security during the 1980s. The article explores the impact of the Iranian Revolution on regional balance of power and analyzes how the United States has adapted its security strategy in response to revolutionary changes. The research investigates the Carter Doctrine and its implementation through the Rapid Deployment Force and other military mechanisms. The study examines US relationships with key Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other GCC members in the new security environment. The article assesses the US response to the Iran-Iraq war and analyzes how American policy has evolved during the conflict. The research also evaluates the broader implications of US Gulf security policy for regional stability, superpower competition, and global energy security. Furthermore, the analysis considers future directions for US engagement in the Gulf region.

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 represented a watershed moment in Persian Gulf security dynamics, with this article providing a comprehensive analysis of United States policy adaptations during the subsequent period. The research begins by examining the pre-revolutionary security architecture in the Gulf, analyzing the Twin Pillars policy that relied on Iran and Saudi Arabia as regional stabilizers under American patronage. The analysis explores the immediate impact of the Iranian Revolution on US strategic calculations, investigating how the loss of a key regional ally, hostage crisis, and emergence of revolutionary Islamism transformed American approaches to Gulf security. The article examines the Carter Doctrine and its operationalization through the creation of the Rapid Deployment Force, enhanced military presence, and security cooperation arrangements with remaining friendly states. The study investigates US policy toward the Iran-Iraq war, analyzing the evolution from initial neutrality to increasing engagement and the complex balancing of relationships with both belligerents. The research assesses the reinforcement of security partnerships with Gulf Cooperation Council states, examining military assistance programs, base access arrangements, and intelligence cooperation mechanisms. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article analyzes both the achievements and limitations of US Gulf security policy and identifies the enduring challenges in maintaining regional stability. The findings provide valuable insights into how great powers adapt security strategies to revolutionary changes and contribute to understanding the complex interplay between global interests, regional dynamics, and local transformations in security policy formulation.