Ibn Khaldun's Geopolitical Thoughts and The Hormuz Crisis

Summary. More than six centuries after the writing of his magnum opus Al Muqaddimah (The Introduction), famous Tunisia-born Arab scholar, historian, philosopher and sociologist Ibn Khaldun is still relevant today through his insights into geography, social solidarity and political authority that remain remarkably relevant to contemporary international conflicts, particularly the ongoing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. To the surprise of many scholars, war experts and strategists, Iran has successfully leveraged its geographical position along the Strait against the mighty United States to exert influence far beyond what its conventional military capabilities might suggest. This piece explores how Ibn Khaldun's thoughts about geography, climate and Asabiyyah, reflect in the strategic rivalry between the United States and Iran.