Iran’s Grand Strategy: A Political History

Iran is undoubtedly a key player in Middle Eastern politics, but remains poorly understood by outsider observers and the image of the country is mirrored in stereotypes. Political thinker, intellectual and former US diplomat Vali Nasr aims to clearly set out how Iranian leaders see their place in the world and the history that informs Tehran’s strategic culture. His new book Iran’s Grand Strategy: A Political History comes at a time when Iran is at a crossroads, the nuclear deal with the US, loss of Syria, degrading of allies and the shrinking public support, has led many to conclude that Tehran is on the losing side of history and its fanatical commitment to ideology only makes this problem more acute. […]