An Analysis of the Position of Soft Power in the Effectiveness of Iran’s Media Policy in Iraq

In the third millennium, soft power was proposed as an effective tool for expanding global influence, and its application is considered one of the strategic goals of major regional and international powers. The Islamic Republic of Iran has significant soft power elements and resources in Iraq, which it can use to shape and advance its media policy in Iraq. In this regard, the question of this article is how the elements of Iran's soft power condition the effectiveness of Iran's media policy in Iraq? The main hypothesis and claim of the present article states that Iran's soft power in Iraq requires that media policy in Iraq be based on the cultural and social context of Iraq, because the effectiveness of media policy depends on meeting the cultural and social needs of Iraqi society. The method of this research is qualitative explanatory and the research data were collected through documentary study. The findings show that despite the persistence of past geopolitical and strategic differences and the experience of the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq, these conflicts have never led to the formation of traumatic and restrictive narratives in the relations between the two countries. This important point indicates the prominent and distinctive role of Iran's soft power in Iraq. This emphasizes the importance of formulating and implementing cultural and media policies based on the cultural and social requirements of Iraq and clarifies the vital role of soft power in the success and effectiveness of these policies.