Foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran: between ideology and pragmatism

Reza Shah and His Vision of Persian Diplomacy -- Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi : The Unfinished Iranian Empire -- The 1979 Revolution and Ideological Determinants of the Iranian Foreign Policy -- The Main Actors and Decision-making Process -- The Iranian Foreign Policy in Action : The Main Objectives -- The Iranian Foreign Policy Toward the Persian Gulf Region -- Iran-Syria Relations -- Iran-China Relations -- The Iranian Foreign Policy Toward Central Asia -- Going Eastwards : Iran, India, and Pakistan -- Iran's Relations with the European Union -- Russia-Iran Relations -- Iran-United States (Lack of) Relations.

"Providing a well-balanced and impartial perspective on the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this book contributes to a better understanding of the current foreign policy of Iran, especially its internal and external determinants. Combining theoretical and practical aspects, it provides readers with a short analysis of Iranian foreign policy. The first part is dedicated to the Pahlavi era between 1925-1979. The second consists of three chapters covering issues related to ideological and institutional aspects of Iranian foreign policy after 1979. The last part incorporates eight case studies which best present both regional and global dimensions. This comprehensive study contains a synthesis of views and opinions of commentators and scholars who often represent contradictory perspectives. Serving as a key reference and starting point for further studies, this book will be of interest to students and researchers studying Iranian foreign policy, international relations and Middle Eastern studies"--