Is Iran at a crossroads? The recent US - led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought new opportunities and dangers that could conceivably either herald a new rapprochement between Tehran and Washington or else bring a sharp detorioration that might perhaps spill over into confrontation. At home, profound demographic changes would seem to make far-reaching political changes appear inevitable in a country whose young population is alienated from the clerical elite that pulls the strings of power.
This book looks at some of the causes of these domestic international tensions and considers some of the possible outcomes. In particular, it asks:
Is Iran really on the way to developing nuclear weapons?
What is the Iranian 'Qods Force' doing in Iraq and Afghanistan? And why?
What are Iran's connections with Middle East terror groups?
Could Iran disintegrate if the current regime crumbles?
How much of a threat to the regime do dissident organisations pose?
The book explains the likely course of events in Iran and the region for both general readers and specialists.
Autorentext
Roger Howard is a British freelance journalist who has travelled widely throughout Iran. He has written extensively on issues of defense and international relations for many newspapers and journals. His work has appeared in The Daily Mail, for which he covered the US-led war in Afghanistan, The New Statesman, The Spectator, Middle East International, Jane's Intelligence Review and the US journal In the National Interest. He has also broadcast for BBC World Service and for television networks. He took a First in Modern History from Cambridge in 1988.
Inhalt
Introduction
Part I: Iran and the US
1. The American Mind
2: Iran and international terror
3: The other domino effect
4: An Iranian bomb?
Part II: Domestic Crisis
5: Political tensions
6. Social and economic malaise
Part III: Outcomes
7. Popular uprising
8. Dissidents
Conclusion