1
Associate Professor of Political Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2
PhD Student in Political Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
3
Full Professor of Political Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/dfsr.2025.2064683.1918
Abstract
Objective: The Purpose of this research is to examine the reasons why countries in this region have tended towards an arms race in the Indo-Pacific region in the 21st century. Methodology: The research method of this article is descriptive-analytical and based on a comparative approach. The method of collecting information and data is based on the library method, and their analysis is carried out through description and based on thinking and reasoning. Findings: The major countries of the Indo-Pacific region have enjoyed significant economic and military growth (the United States, China, and India), and there is a competitive arms race with potentially dangerous consequences, coupled with powerful economic and market forces. The six nuclear states in the region spend a lot of money each year to contain and build multilateral alliances to balance power. Conclusion: It seems that the economic-military growth of the United States, China, and India, the supposed threat from China, the nuclear threats from some countries in the region, and multiple coalitions have caused distrust among the major countries in the region, led to an arms race in the region, and affected the lack of dynamism and the lack of collective participation by the major countries in the region in resolving regional problems
Allahvardizadeh, Reza and Karimi, Mehdi. (2024). The Position of the Indian Ocean in India's Rise to a LeadingMaritime Power. World Politics,13(1):83-109.(DOI:https://doi:10.22124/wp.2024.26253.3293)
- Amiri, Mehdi and Ghafarizadeh, Mehrshad. (2022). The Strategic Approach of America and India to the Indo-Pacific Region. Scientific Quarterly of Political and International Approaches, 1735-739X, 14, (1): 123-148.
-Aram, Ahmad WSo and Mohammed, Ahmed Majeed. (2025). The Evolution of U.S. Strategy from Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific Region, Zanco Journal of Law and Politics, (23), 38.URL:https://zancojournal.su.edu.krd
-Caşın, M.H. (2003). Küreselleşmenin Doğu ve Güneydoğu Asya’nın güvenlik stratejilerine yansımaları’, Küreselleşme ve Uluslararası Güvenlik: Birinci Uluslararası Sempozyum Bildirileri, İstanbul, Ankara: Genelkurmay Basımevi.URL:https://dergipark.org.tr.
-Cohen, Saul Bernard. (2015). Geopolitics: The Geography of International Relation, Third Edition, Published by Rowman & Littlefield.URL:https://www.abebooks.com › plp
-Durmuş, Z.A. (2023). Soğuk Savaş sonrası dönemden günümüze ABD’nin Asya Pasifik stratejisi ‘, NOVUS ORBIS Dergisi, 5(2). Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi, Stratejik Araştırma Merkezi.Available from: URL:https://dergipark.org.tr.
- Erkan, A.Ç. and Ateş, A. (2019). Will Russia be a threat to China? Sino-Russian energy relations via energy weapon model, International Journal of Eurasia Social Sciences, 10(36), 252–280.URL:https://www.ijoess.com › DergiTamDetay.
- Etaat, Javad and Ahmadi, Ibrahim. (2014). Analysis of the most important sources of tension and threat in the relations between Pakistan and its neighbors. Political Studies, 26: 1 -36. (https://www.noormags.ir/view/fa)
-Gottemoeller, R. (2015). The Role of the United States in Asia-Pacific security, The U.S. Department of State. URL:https://rb.gy › zccdps
- Hafeznia, Mohammad Reza and Rabiei, Hossein. (2013). Persian Gulf Regional Studies. Tehran: Samt.https://samt.ac.ir
- Hafez-Nia, Mohammad Reza. (2016). Principles and Concepts of Geopolitics.Mashhad:PapliPublications.URL:http://www.nashreiran.ir
- Jafarinia, Abbas, Akhbari, Mohammad, and Moradian, Mohsen. (2019). Analysis of military power indicators of political-geographical units in the international system. Scientific-Research Quarterly of New Approaches in Human Geography, (3): Summer.(URL: https://www.sid.ir)
-Islamic Republic News Agency. (March 15, 1400). Which Countries Have Nuclear Weapons and How Many Warheads do They Have? News Code: 84673033.https://irna.ir/xjHJL6) : (URL
- Jamshidi, Mohammad, and Yazdan-Shenas, Zakieh. (2019). The Strategy of Turning to Asia; The Rise of China and the National Security Policy of the United States in East Asia. Political Science Quarterly, (DOI:https://doi: 10.30497/pk.2020.2681)
- Kazim, Baqir Jawad. (2021). Albiya Al'asasiat Fi Shimal Sharq Asia Bayn Alnufudh Al'amrikii Waltaathir Alsiny, Journal of Political Science, 61), College of Political Science, University of Nahrain.URL:https://zancojournal.su.edu.krd › JLP › article › view
- Khazari, Roya. (2010). US and Chinese Strategy in the Asia-Pacific Region: Cooperation and Conflict. Foreign Policy Quarterly, (3):(URL: https://fp.ipisjournals.ir
- Liang, Xiao, Tian, Nan, Da silva, Diego Lopes, Scarazzato, Lorenzo, Karim, Zubaida, and Ricard, Jade Guiberteau. (2025). Treands in World military Expenditure 2024, SIPRI Fact Sheet April 2025. URL:file:///C:/Users/pc/Desktop/SIPRI%20Fact %20Sheet% 202025.pdf
- Matar, ebrahim Hardan and Tahir, Randa Wudah. (2022). Altatawr Alastiratij Min Asia Albasifik Alaa Alendu - Basifik, Asia Issues Magazine, (13), Arab Democratic Center for Strategic, Political and Economic Studies, Berlin.URL:https://www.researchgate.net › publication › 39239855...
- Mehrabi, Alireza and Abbasian, Qasem. (1402). Geopolitical Analysis of Relations between the Countries of the Northern Indian Ocean on the Formulation of Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Geopolitics Quarterly, (3): (DOI:https://doi:20.1001.1.17354331.1402.19.71.4.9)
- Mohammadi, Hamid Reza and Mikameh, Iman. (2013). The Impact of Oil on the US Military Presence in the Persian Gulf. Earth Science Research, 14: 34-52. (URL: https://esrj.sbu.ac.ir)
-Mottaqi, Ibrahim. (2011). Theoretical Analysis of US Behavioral Patterns towards China. Journal of International Relations Studies, 19(5): 217-240.
- Örmeci, O. (2021). ABD dış Politikasında öncelikli Gündem Asya-Pasifik ‘, Bilge Strateji, 12(22): 9 –18.URL:http:// dergipark.org.tr › ...
- Philomine A, Verlaan, Joseph R, Morgan. (Aug 17, 2024). Indian Ocean | History, Map, Depth, Islands, & Facts. URL: https://www.britannica.com
- Roumina, Ebrahim. (2025). Transformation in Global Geostrategic Realms: From Maritime Order Fragmentation to Continental Order Transition.Geopolitics Quarterly, 21, 2, 338-355.32. [In Persian]. URL:htts://doi:10.22034/igq.2025.489899.1980.
- SIPRI. (2, Dec, 2024). World’s Top Arms Producers See Revenues Rise on the Back of Wars and Regional Tensions. URL: :https://www.sipri.org.
- Snan, Muhamad. (2017). Alhiwar Alrubaeiu / Tahjim Alnufudh Alsiynii Fi Janub Sharq Asia, Event Trends Journal - Future Center for Studies and Research – (24), Abu Dhabi.URL:https://zancojournal.su.edu.krd › index.php › JLP
- Storey, I. (2017). The South China Sea dispute: Outlook and implications‘,Southeast Asian Affairs, 46–56.URL:http://web.isanet. org/Web/
- Tian, Nan, Da Silva, Diego lopes, Liang, Xiao, and Orenzo, Scarazzato. (2024). Trends in -World Military Expenditure (2023), SIPRI Fact Sheet, April 2024. URL:https://www.sipri.org.
- Tuan, T.A. (2020). Maritime security in the Indo-Pacific: Mixed opportunities and challenges from connectivity strategies ‘, responding to the Geopolitics of Connectivity.URL:https://www.kas.de › documents › Panorama_20...
- Torun, E. (2006). Asya-Pasifik bölgesindeki çıkar çatışmaları ve Türkiye’nin güvenlik boyutuna yansımaları‘, Genelkurmay Başkanlığı Yayınları Stratejik Araştırmalar Dergisi, 4(7). URL:https://dergipark.org.tr › pub › issue
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2024). Indian Ocean. (URL:https://fa.wikipedia.org /wiki)
Zarei,B. , Pishgahi Fard,Z. and Delshadzad,J. (2026). Indo-Pacific: A Space for Arms Race in the 21st Century. Defensive Future Studies, 11(40), 43-78. doi: 10.22034/dfsr.2025.2064683.1918
MLA
Zarei,B. , , Pishgahi Fard,Z. , and Delshadzad,J. . "Indo-Pacific: A Space for Arms Race in the 21st Century", Defensive Future Studies, 11, 40, 2026, 43-78. doi: 10.22034/dfsr.2025.2064683.1918
HARVARD
Zarei B., Pishgahi Fard Z., Delshadzad J. (2026). 'Indo-Pacific: A Space for Arms Race in the 21st Century', Defensive Future Studies, 11(40), pp. 43-78. doi: 10.22034/dfsr.2025.2064683.1918
CHICAGO
B. Zarei, Z. Pishgahi Fard and J. Delshadzad, "Indo-Pacific: A Space for Arms Race in the 21st Century," Defensive Future Studies, 11 40 (2026): 43-78, doi: 10.22034/dfsr.2025.2064683.1918
VANCOUVER
Zarei B., Pishgahi Fard Z., Delshadzad J. Indo-Pacific: A Space for Arms Race in the 21st Century. DFSR, 2026; 11(40): 43-78. doi: 10.22034/dfsr.2025.2064683.1918
