Foreign troops fuel regional instability; historic power rivalries and resource competition demand cooperative security frameworks
Original framing: “'Foreign forces must leave': Iran says regional countries can ensure their own security” — Middle East Eye
The Gulf has been a theater of imperial rivalry since the 16th century, from Portuguese forts to British protectorates, establishing a legacy of external militarisation that conditions contemporary security narratives. Historical analysis shows that each wave of foreign presence has been justified by the same rhetoric of “protecting stability”, which masks underlying economic extraction.
Iran’s call for foreign forces to leave reflects a deeper pattern of external militarisation that has historically destabilised the Gulf, yet it also masks the regime’s own proxy activities and internal repression.
By foregrounding indigenous maritime knowledge, historic power rivalries, and the marginalised voices of ethnic minorities, a more nuanced security architecture emerges—one that replaces foreign bases with cooperative, demilitarised zones and inclusive resource governance. Cross‑cultural precedents from Africa and Southeast Asia demonstrate that regional consensus, supported by scientific modelling and cultural exchange, can break the cycle of proxy conflict. Implementing joint climate‑security initiatives and educational reforms can align ecological resilience with peacebuilding, transforming the Gulf from a flashpoint into a collaborative hub. This systemic shift requires the participation of state actors, civil society, and international partners, anchored in a historical awareness that the region’s stability depends on shared stewardship rather than singular dominance.