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Iran's Foreign Policy: From Khatami to Ahmadinejad
This timely collection of papers by leading academics and prominent government officials sheds new light on the foreign policy of Iran under President Khatami and on the period of President Ahmadinejad. Iran's foreign policy during this period was based on four fundamental principles: the rejection of all forms of foreign domination; the preservation of the independence of the country and its territorial integrity; the defense of the rights of all Muslims; and the maintenance of mutually peaceful relations with all non-belligerent states. Iran's Foreign Policy examines the implications of these principles, and provides analysis of Iran's diplomacy with regard to ongoing developments such the war on terror, the continuing conflict in Iraq, American-Iranian relations, British-Iranian relations, European-Iranian relations, and Arab-Iranian relations. Table of contents include: Iran's Foreign Policy: Independence, Freedom and the Islamic Republic --- The US and Iran in Iraq: Risks and Opportunities --- Iran: Caught Between EU and US Rivalries --- Iran-EU Relations: Strategic Partnership? --- Iran-UK Relations since the Revolution: Opening Doors --- Foreign Policy Theories: Implications for Iran's Foreign Policy Analysis --- Diplomatic Relations between Iran and the UK in the Early Reform Period, 1997-2000 --- Arab-Iranian Relations: New Realities?
149 pages, Hardcover
First published July 30, 2007
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February 16, 2015
Iran's Foreign Policy. From Khatami to Ahmadinejad edited by Anoushiravan Ehteshami and Mahjoob Zweiri is a compact and clear introduction into the studies of the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. As stated in the introduction the book attempts to asses the foreign policy of the former president Khatami and the major changes in Iran's foreign policy under President Ahmadinejad (xvi). The book was released within the context of a conference that was held at Durham University in March 2005 discussing president Khatami's unique foreign policy. The book is consequentially the papers and results that were discussed at that conference. Together with Ehteshami and Zweiri seven other experts in the field of Iranian studies contributed to the book ranging for Iranian and European officials to experts in the field of Iranian Studies.
In their introduction Ehteshami and Zweiri argue that in order to understand the Islamic Republic of Iran it is vital to study its foreign policy. According to them the foreign policy of Iran is heavily influenced by its constitution resulting in four fundamental principles. First, rejection of all forms of external domination; second, preservation of Iran's independence and territorial integrity; third, defence of the rights of all Muslims without allying with hegemonic powers; and fourth, the maintenance of peaceful relations with all non-belligerent states (xiii). These are the four principles that serve as some form of basis of analysis for the whole book. In all ten chapters these principles resurface at some point or another.
The structure of the book is virtually divided into a first part that covers the history of Iran and then introduces the reader to the various theoretical approaches that can be used for the study of Iranian foreign policy. The second part is comprised out of case studies ranging from Iran-US relations concerning Iraq to the Arab-Iranian relations.
The first chapter written by R.K. Ramazani, a founder of Iranian Studies in the US (x) covers a wide range of Persian/Iranian history, starting in the pre-Islamic era and chronologically ending with Khatami and Ahmadinejad presidency. The main purpose of this chapter is to illustrate that the foreign policy principles proclaimed by the Islamic Republic have their roots in a distinct understanding of Iranian history that predates the recent events of the twentieth century and goes back to pre-Islamic times (1). The chapter correlates with the general theme of the book, that significantly emphasises on ideational factors when it comes to Iran's foreign policy. The second chapter covers various theoretical approaches of foreign policy and its affects on the foreign policy analysis of Iran. In this chapter Ali Akbar Rezaei, who is Director of the North America Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran tries to illustrate the different theoretical approaches to Iran's foreign policy and how none of the theories can provide an explanation without any serious shortcomings. Rezaei like Ramazani emphasizes the importance of history and identity when it comes to Iran's foreign policy and he suggests a hybrid model of Wendtian constructivism and the English School of international relations, in order to gain a more holistic understanding of the Iran (33). The strength and maybe also weakness of this chapter is, that Ramazani himself is part of the foreign ministry of Iran and thus delivers the reader with a possible biased or maybe idiosyncratic perspective but also with an inside view of Iran's political establishment.
After covering historical and theoretical approaches more detailed and specific case studies are introduced in eight different chapters. Since the aim of the book is to discuss the distinct foreign policy of mainly Khatami's presidency, the regime changes in both neighbouring countries Iraq and Afghanistan take a dominant position in defining Iran's relations with especially the United States of America, the European Union and neighbouring Arab states. Going with the theme of the book the reader is presented with similar conclusions in each chapter; Iran's foreign policy under Khatami is driven by pragmatism and ideology. Judith S. Yaphe emphasises on the commonalities and differences between Iran and the United States when it comes to the stability in Iraq. Others like Shahriar Sabet-Saeidi focus on the relationship between Iran and European countries and how it is in the interest of both sides to maintain a strategic partnership with each other. This and Anastasia Th. Drenou's chapter, concerning US-EU rivalry and Iran's role in it, are two chapters that apply mainly realist arguments concerning Iran's and Europe’s foreign policy. Therefore it can be said, that these two scholars diverge a little bit from the rest of the contributors and bring in a rather different perspective. It should be said that most chapters focus mainly on security issues and one could argue that the book follows a rather western-centric point of view. Interestingly enough though, the book does hardly cover the subject of Israel, and it's implication on Iranian foreign policy, which was maybe intentional but could also be viewed as a weakness.
As mentioned above the book is a short and compact introduction into the studies of Iran's foreign policy. The structure of the book with its historical and theoretical first part and its more analytical second part helps to get a better overview of the matter. Its main strength lies in the accessible writing of its contributors and the clear and straightforward way the subject is presented.
Unfortunately, the book misses a concluding chapter which would have been helpful to knot the more detailed case studies together. Furthermore, it is questionable whether the emphasis on British-Iranian relations in the book is justified – covering the issues in two chapters while relations with Russia or China are solely mentioned parenthetically. This can only be explained and justified if one considers the locality of the conference from which the book has resulted from.
Nevertheless it can be said, that Iran's Foreign Policy is a helpful introduction or addition into the era of Khatami and partially Ahmadinejad’s presidencies. It may not be overtly complex in its approach but there is a great amount of detail in a rather short book, that helps understand Iran's foreign policy more accurately. It can be considered as a stepping stone for further research in the field, especially if one takes the detailed bibliographies into account.
In their introduction Ehteshami and Zweiri argue that in order to understand the Islamic Republic of Iran it is vital to study its foreign policy. According to them the foreign policy of Iran is heavily influenced by its constitution resulting in four fundamental principles. First, rejection of all forms of external domination; second, preservation of Iran's independence and territorial integrity; third, defence of the rights of all Muslims without allying with hegemonic powers; and fourth, the maintenance of peaceful relations with all non-belligerent states (xiii). These are the four principles that serve as some form of basis of analysis for the whole book. In all ten chapters these principles resurface at some point or another.
The structure of the book is virtually divided into a first part that covers the history of Iran and then introduces the reader to the various theoretical approaches that can be used for the study of Iranian foreign policy. The second part is comprised out of case studies ranging from Iran-US relations concerning Iraq to the Arab-Iranian relations.
The first chapter written by R.K. Ramazani, a founder of Iranian Studies in the US (x) covers a wide range of Persian/Iranian history, starting in the pre-Islamic era and chronologically ending with Khatami and Ahmadinejad presidency. The main purpose of this chapter is to illustrate that the foreign policy principles proclaimed by the Islamic Republic have their roots in a distinct understanding of Iranian history that predates the recent events of the twentieth century and goes back to pre-Islamic times (1). The chapter correlates with the general theme of the book, that significantly emphasises on ideational factors when it comes to Iran's foreign policy. The second chapter covers various theoretical approaches of foreign policy and its affects on the foreign policy analysis of Iran. In this chapter Ali Akbar Rezaei, who is Director of the North America Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran tries to illustrate the different theoretical approaches to Iran's foreign policy and how none of the theories can provide an explanation without any serious shortcomings. Rezaei like Ramazani emphasizes the importance of history and identity when it comes to Iran's foreign policy and he suggests a hybrid model of Wendtian constructivism and the English School of international relations, in order to gain a more holistic understanding of the Iran (33). The strength and maybe also weakness of this chapter is, that Ramazani himself is part of the foreign ministry of Iran and thus delivers the reader with a possible biased or maybe idiosyncratic perspective but also with an inside view of Iran's political establishment.
After covering historical and theoretical approaches more detailed and specific case studies are introduced in eight different chapters. Since the aim of the book is to discuss the distinct foreign policy of mainly Khatami's presidency, the regime changes in both neighbouring countries Iraq and Afghanistan take a dominant position in defining Iran's relations with especially the United States of America, the European Union and neighbouring Arab states. Going with the theme of the book the reader is presented with similar conclusions in each chapter; Iran's foreign policy under Khatami is driven by pragmatism and ideology. Judith S. Yaphe emphasises on the commonalities and differences between Iran and the United States when it comes to the stability in Iraq. Others like Shahriar Sabet-Saeidi focus on the relationship between Iran and European countries and how it is in the interest of both sides to maintain a strategic partnership with each other. This and Anastasia Th. Drenou's chapter, concerning US-EU rivalry and Iran's role in it, are two chapters that apply mainly realist arguments concerning Iran's and Europe’s foreign policy. Therefore it can be said, that these two scholars diverge a little bit from the rest of the contributors and bring in a rather different perspective. It should be said that most chapters focus mainly on security issues and one could argue that the book follows a rather western-centric point of view. Interestingly enough though, the book does hardly cover the subject of Israel, and it's implication on Iranian foreign policy, which was maybe intentional but could also be viewed as a weakness.
As mentioned above the book is a short and compact introduction into the studies of Iran's foreign policy. The structure of the book with its historical and theoretical first part and its more analytical second part helps to get a better overview of the matter. Its main strength lies in the accessible writing of its contributors and the clear and straightforward way the subject is presented.
Unfortunately, the book misses a concluding chapter which would have been helpful to knot the more detailed case studies together. Furthermore, it is questionable whether the emphasis on British-Iranian relations in the book is justified – covering the issues in two chapters while relations with Russia or China are solely mentioned parenthetically. This can only be explained and justified if one considers the locality of the conference from which the book has resulted from.
Nevertheless it can be said, that Iran's Foreign Policy is a helpful introduction or addition into the era of Khatami and partially Ahmadinejad’s presidencies. It may not be overtly complex in its approach but there is a great amount of detail in a rather short book, that helps understand Iran's foreign policy more accurately. It can be considered as a stepping stone for further research in the field, especially if one takes the detailed bibliographies into account.
Displaying 1 of 1 review