Summary
This new academic and analytical book tackles the strategy of Iran’s security since the new millennium, when their national security policy was reviewed to secure Iran’s position. This was implemented by the newly elected President Mohammad Khatami and modified during the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The importance of the period from Khatami to Ahmadinejad is that the clerical establishment of the Iranian regime, in order to maintain stability of the system, chose two strategic doctrines: firstly, they supported Khatami’s ‘Policy of Appeasement’ – Detente – towards the West and tried to conduct reform within the system. Secondly, hard-line conservative Ahmadinejad was brought to power based on the ‘Policy of Confrontation’ and advocated conservative ideology, which resulted in more clashes with Western governments. This book explains the doctrine of Iran’s national security in the 21st century, examining the factors related to the formulation of their national security strategy. It aims to provide a clear understanding of the nature of the clerical system’s goals, their behavior patterns in a domestic environment, and the international community. This can only be made by taking into account their particular aim and the circumstances that prevailed when decisions were made and policies were formed. There are many books written on Iran which analyses the different aspects of the mullah’s regime, but there are currently no books that focus on its national security doctrine. Manshour Varasteh has written Understanding Iran’s National Security Doctrine to give a better understanding of the clerical regime’s ambitious politics. On this basis, it is hoped this book will shed some light on the politics of Iran. It will appeal to those interested in Iran’s politics.