Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Seyed Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour ¹
• Mohammad Taghi Jahanbakhsh ²

¹ Professor, School of International Relations

² PhD Candidate, International Relations, University of Allame Tabatabaee

Abstract

Geopolitical genome is the genetic map of a country’s politics which determines its behavior in state and foreign policies. States consider the genomes of other actors as their geopolitical codes. The interaction or confrontation of the states’ geopolitical codes or genomes determines the atmosphere that is in line with or against the national and regional interests. The present paper attempts to answer the following question: To what extent in foreign policy arena, the geopolitical genomes are effective? Considering Afghanistan and Russia case studies; ethnic diversification, drugs, extremism and terrorism, political instability, etc. are known as Afghanistan’s dominant geopolitical codes; and vastness of territory, extremism, and terrorism, NATO and EU expansion eastward, etc. are the ones for Russia. In order to confront the threats that are derived from Afghanistan’s genomes, Russia takes some active measures, while Afghanistan – according to its geopolitical codes- behaves reactively in its foreign policy. Using analytical – descriptive method, the authors try to tell why the research findings provide an answer to the research question.

Keywords

• Afghanistan
• Russia
• Geopolitical Genome
• Foreign Policy and Geopolitical Codes