US Publication date: 19th October 2015

UK Publication Date: 13th November 2015

Iran stands at a critical juncture in its history. In the era of Presidents Hassan Rouhani and Barack Obama, the Islamic Republic has a unique opportunity to regain its traditional greatness as a cradle of rich civilization and culture, with a capacity to be a very influential and stabilizing regional actor.

In this incisive analysis, Amin Saikal, a leading expert on Iranian politics, traces
Iran’s transition from pro-Western monarchy to Islamic Republic and explores
the choices open to Rouhani’s moderate reformist government. The Islamic
Republic has endured a difficult journey throughout its existence. But since
Khomeini assumed power in 1979 it has been characterized by a degree of
exceptionalism, which has seen Iran lock horns with the United States and prove
itself an effective and shrewdly calculating player on the international stage.
Looking to the future, Saikal does not shy away from confronting the difficult
choices facing Iran today. Failure to achieve reconciliation with the United
States in the coming years, he argues, will not only have serious implications
for Iran’s internal stability and for the future security of the Middle East, but
also for America’s position within this volatile and unpredictable region.

AMIN SAIKAL is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Centre for
Arab and Islamic Studies at the Australian National University.

GBP Price: £12.99