Elements of Theoland theory

Dr Mohammad Jafar Irani the Iranian professor in universities of Tehran has proposed a new theory (Theoland) challenging two current British and American theories 'Heartland and Rimland." The theory has potentials to lead to an evolution in field of politic strategy and international Law.

He believed that the continued polices of hegemonic countries in the region is the result of many years of experiences and researches that is named religion (Theo) or Religious Fundamentalism.

The pillager and fierce countries of west believe religion threatens their goals and therefore called it opium for masses and attacked it with different ways on many occasions.

The Theoland theory or (Religious Land) was once published in an article in our agency Qodsna. For knowing more about the theory, we interviewed Mr Irani. The following is the text of the interview. 
  

Q: Mr Irani, first of all I thank you for your time. Would you tell us about the background of Theoland theory?

A: In the beginning, I appreciate my friend in Qods news agency for their attention about the affairs of Islamic world especially Holy Qods.
It is noticeable from the beginning of history that human being came to earth for achieving a better life. He needed to be empowered more and more, so based on his condition and his nature, the circumstances of earth geographically and naturally leaded to the emergence of geopolitical situations. Different governments were established with some factors including human power, geographic limitation and common custom. These created geo-strategic importance. Different elements in some lands led to the superiority of some governments against other governments. According to this idea, it can be asked: Why such an struggle continues for ever in certain lands?

Q: Mr. Irani what is your idea about the mentioned question?
A:  Based on philosophy, the world is changing continually, in fact the world is growing newer constantly. Philosophers named the issue 'quintessential move.' In the field of Human Law, man's needs and conditions are promoted and the political structure of the world is changing. So in order to dominate the world especially the rich lands the political tactics and discourses are changing.

Q: via this new theory you reject two previous theories. Would you elaborate more?
A:  One of the previous theories belongs to Sir Halford Makinder, the famous British strategist. By Heart Land, he held that the heart of world is somewhere among seas of Asia and Middle East.  In 1919 he announced that if a government could dominate the Eastern Europe, it would govern the Heart Land and therefore could govern the world over.
The other theory belongs to Berkles Spaykman, American strategist who believes there is a relationship between geography and political power. He holds that geography is an essential factor in international policy because it is the most enduring factor.
According to him, Rim Land is somewhere among three regions including Hormuz Strait, Babol Mandab and Malaka. He believes if a government dominates the area, it could govern the world over. He has published a book (geography of peace) in which he calls the rim of Heart Land as Rim Land.
However, the balance of power created after cold war, development of weaponry and interference of other countries has made these two irrelevant. For example, formation of joint economic and military agreements in different parts of world like NATO and SANTO is no longer relevant. This would be followed by specific reactions.

Q:  Please explain for us the exact aim of Theoland theory?
A:  according to this theory, the sensibility of hegemonic countries is the result some experience during some years which was named religious fundamentalism, and therefore they fight against religion. Years ago their deployed military in such lands to pillage their resources but today they need an effective device to execute their strategic policies.
In 1997, Professor Jeffrey Camp offered a supplemental idea on the two said theories and said that the Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea were an oval strategic land which Iran relates these two global energetic sources together as a strategic bridge.

Q: why this religious land that you introduce by the Theoland theory is important and where are its borders?
A: I called the geographic area that is almost adjusted on Middle East – somewhere from North of Africa and Egypt to former Turkey and Ararat, Persian Gulf, and Arabic Island in the south and also some part of Indo-China or southeast of Asia – as Theoland to talk about several points:

A)          The importance of these areas for hidden and natural resources
B)          Having the geo-strategic and geo-politic situation
C)          Attention to the historical background and civilization and the appearance of divine religions and many human schools

By deliberating on these three points we can clearly understand the aim of foreigners to reach this area.
Samuel Huntington announced in his essay recently published in FA magazine – the formal organization of American foreign relation group - that contemporary international policies are not like the given models (one-dimension, two-dimensions, multi-dimensions, and the coalition of second-rate powers), the present system is a complicated system. This system is a one-multi polar system that has a superpower and several main powers. In such a system, in order to solve the important international problems we not only need a superpower but also we need a coalition of other main powers. In this system, America is a superpower that can stop the other countries' action in basic problems.

Huntington claimed that America is the only power in the world which has all the high economic, military, diplomatic, ideological, and cultural powers and it can protect its possessions in the whole world. He continues that in the second level of the contemporary world every location has its own superpower. These superpowers control some part of the world without progressing their goals and capabilities like America, and at last, they introduce regional powers like:

1-             The combination of Germany and France in Europe
2-             Russia in Eurasia
3-             China and mainly Japan in Far East
4-             India in south of Asia
5-             Iran in south-west of Asia
6-             Brazil in Latin and south of America
7-             Nigeria in Africa
 
Therefore, many people like Zbigniew Brzezinski believe that America will be the last and lone power in the world. According to the mentioned divisions and drawn locations in Theoland theory, America as the only power that wants to show its power in the whole world, knows the areas that have a good capacity of energy, goods selling market, and ability of finding power in the world. The area of 'Theoland' or 'religions land' is the most strategic and important area in the eye of a powerful country like America.

Q:  thank you   Dr Irani would you tell us a final comment about this theory?
A: I believe the American strategy in this area leads to difference and struggle between different religious specially Islam and Shiism. As the people in Theoland stand against injustice and inhuman policies, this land is a device for disrupting its strategies and planning.

Interviewer: Mahdi Shkibaei
Dr Mohammad Jafar Irani has master of degree in filed of Islamic Law in Tehran University and now is studying course of Criminal Law and Criminology. He reviews Islamic religious and politic thought. The subject of his thesis was "the theocracy governments according to the primacy of the top spiritual leader" for which his professors in Lebanon including Dr Khanjar Hamiye, Dr Sheykh Mohammad Shaghir and Dr Sheykh Ali Taleb awarded him the best mark (excellent). He also teaches course of Law in the university.