‍Central Asia and The Caucasus Journal

Abstract China's "One Belt, One Road" Initiative and Iran's Political Economy (2013-2021)

Abstract: The "One Belt, One Road" initiative, designed and implemented in 2013 as one of the largest economic projects, was proposed with the aim of strengthening China's position as a global power in the economic, trade, and political spheres. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Iran is known as one of the key nodes of this plan due to its strategic location in the North-South and East-West transportation corridors, as well as its rich energy resources. The purpose of this research is to examine the opportunities and challenges of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative for Iran's political economy. The results indicate that this initiative can strengthen Iran's geopolitical position in the region, while developing key Iranian infrastructure, including transportation and energy, attracting foreign direct investment, and strengthening economic relations with countries along the path of the plan. But on the other hand, greater economic and political dependence on China, increased imports of Chinese goods, lack of transparency in investments, and problems resulting from international sanctions are among the challenges that Iran will face in dealing with this plan.

Abstract The present paper intends to explore Turkey’s economic plans in Central Asia from the perspective of the opportunities and threats posed to Iran; therefore, using thematic analysis of the thematic matrix by use of indirect observation (text analysis), the research data is collected using targeted sampling from the existing texts and through subject encoding . The themes of opportunities and threats to Iran of Turkey’s economic plans in Central Asia were identified, and finally compared, contrasted and analysed according to the common and differentiating aspects. The findings of the research show that the economic plans of the “Turkic Council in Central Asia” have brought for Iran these opportunities: A: Having cultural-historical convergence and joint security strategies in Central Asia. B: Inconsistency of the cultural model of culture and development of Iran and Turkey in Central Asia; in addition, the economic-energy plan of “Turkic Council-New Silk Road” in Central Asia has brought these opportunities and threats for Iran respectively: creating a balance in the region, with Iran playing a role, rise of Turkey’s economic power and weakening of Iran’s geopolitical and economic-transit position.