Symbol, Myth, and Strategic Narrative in Contemporary International Relations: A Theoretical Reconstruction of the Role of Culture in the Production of Meaning, Identity, and Power (Case Study: The 2026 U.S. War against Iran)

In contemporary international relations, culture is not merely a collection of values, traditions, and cultural products; rather, it constitutes one of the fundamental arenas in which meaning, identity, legitimacy, and power are produced. In this context, symbols and myths are among the most important cultural mechanisms for condensing meaning, organizing collective memory, constructing identity, defining the Other, legitimizing political action, and mobilizing society. This article seeks to theoretically reconstruct and update the role of symbols and myths in international relations by drawing on recent constructivist scholarship, political myth studies, strategic narratives, cultural diplomacy, and digital communication.The central research question is: How do symbols and myths, through the production of meaning, identity, and strategic narratives, influence the perceptions, legitimacy, and actions of actors in contemporary international relations? The study is theoretical-analytical in nature and employs conceptual analysis and a critical review of the literature. The findings indicate that symbols cannot be regarded merely as representations of meaning; rather, they participate in the production, stabilization, and contestation of meaning. Political myth, likewise, should not be understood as an untrue story, but rather as a narrative structure that situates the past, present, and future within a coherent framework of meaning. In this context, strategic narratives constitute an intermediary link between political myths, identity, and foreign policy. Furthermore, the digitalization of communication has expanded political symbols beyond flags, anthems, emblems, and historical monuments to include hashtags, memes, images, videos, and AI-generated content. Accordingly, the article proposes a network model in which the cultural-historical context, collective memory, political myth, strategic narrative, symbol, identity, legitimacy, symbolic power, and international action are interconnected through reciprocal and feedback relationships.The article ultimately argues that studying international relations without taking into account the politics of meaning and the contestation over narratives overlooks a significant part of the mechanisms of contemporary power. The case study of the 2026 U.S. war against Iran demonstrates the practical applicability of the proposed framework.