A Realistic View On Iran

Essay from the year 2010 in the subject Politics - Region: Near East, Near Orient, grade: B, Ottawa University, course: International relations and Global Politics, language: English, abstract: Globalization is the most commonly used word to describe the increasing interconnectedness between nations. In this modern era, it is almost impossible not to be affected by a global issue in some way or another. For example, the strengthening of airport security and the increased scrutiny was felt by all air travellers after the attacks of 9/11. There are many different theories that scholars adhere to in order to make sense of these issues such as liberalism, Marxism, or constructivism but "realism has been the dominant theory of world politics since the beginning of academic International Relations" (Baylis & Smith, 2008, p.95) which falls under the positivist umbrella. To test the validity and applicability of realism, this paper will analyze Iran's nuclear program through the lens of a realist to understand why there has been so much tension surrounding their nuclear advancements. Of course, there are many different variations of realism but for the purpose of this paper, a `unified realism' will be used which is explained more in detail later. Ultimately, if realism can reasonably identify and mutually relate some of the key concepts that are found in this global issue, then it will be considered a success. Much like realism, Iran's nuclear program has a long and distinct history. The Wikipedia page alone regarding Iran's nuclear history is over 50 pages long with no less than 400 citations; it is quite extensive to say the least. The history extends back to the 1950s after a U.S. governmentaided coup d'etat forced the democraticallyelected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh out of office, bringing Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to power (Deluce, 2003). With the help and protection of the United States, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's ran a dictatorshipmonarchy with strong allegiance to the Americans. The Peace for Atoms program initiated by former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower is what helped Iran actually construct their first nuclear facility in 1967 but it would not have been possible without the overthrown government. Iran then signed and ratified the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty (NPT), thus becoming subject to verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Hostile relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia are a major contributing factor to political instability in the Middle East. This book argues that rapprochement between Tehran and Riyadh is possible and delves into the complexities of managing their long-standing conflict. By interviewing scholars and former policy makers from the Gulf region and abroad, the author draws out the core themes, strategies, and dynamics of the conflict since the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 to form a basis of an agenda for achieving peace. The result is a fresh perspective on a dangerous and unpredictable rift that affects not only its primary parties - Iran and Saudi Arabia - but also the geopolitics, economic stability and civil wars of the wider Middle Eastern region.

Visit the Unspun website which includes Table of Contents and the Introduction. The World Wide Web has cut a wide path through our daily lives. As claims of "the Web changes everything" suffuse print media, television, movies, and even presidential campaign speeches, just how thoroughly do the users immersed in this new technology understand it? What, exactly, is the Web changing? And how might we participate in or even direct Web-related change? Intended for readers new to studying the Internet, each chapter in Unspun addresses a different aspect of the "web revolution"--hypertext, multimedia, authorship, community, governance, identity, gender, race, cyberspace, political economy, and ideology--as it shapes and is shaped by economic, political, social, and cultural forces. The contributors particularly focus on the language of the Web, exploring concepts that are still emerging and therefore unstable and in flux. Unspun demonstrates how the tacit assumptions behind this rhetoric must be examined if we want to really know what we are saying when we talk about the Web. Unspun will help readers more fully understand and become critically aware of the issues involved in living, as we do, in a wired society. Contributors include: Jay Bolter, Sean Cubitt, Jodi Dean, Dawn Dietrich, Cynthia Fuchs, Matthew Kirschenbaum, Timothy Luke, Vincent Mosco, Lisa Nakamura, Russell Potter, Rob Shields, John Sloop, and Joseph Tabbi.

At the dawn of the 21st century, we are witnessing the redefining and reforming of the Islamic Republic, a struggle between the President Khatami's reformist agenda and more militant conservative forces led by Ayatollah Khameni, Iran's Supreme Religious Guide. The Islamic Republic of Iran at 20 is a place of new promises and aspirations whose political, economic ,and socioeconomic struggles have significance not only for Iranians but also for Iran's relations with the international community. Iran at the Crossroads provides an intimate view of Iran, domestically and internationally, and the current struggle to reconstruct and thus relegitimate the revolution. This volume includes essays by American, European, and Iranian scholars writing on the extraordinary changing situation in Iran today.

This book assesses Iran’s role in contemporary geopolitics. In particular, it examines three main intertwining circles: Iran’s development and political challenges, its relationships with neighbouring countries, as well as its relations with the major global powers — China, the European Union, Russia, and the United States. With contributions from over 20 authors, the book spans such critical aspects of contemporary geopolitics as modern history, natural resources, the economy, the social-political context, and strategic thinking. Particular focus is placed on Iran’s relations with its neighbours - Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Pakistan, and the Persian Gulf States. Furthermore, the book offers both a bilateral and multilateral dimension on how nuclear sanctions imposed on Iran have impacted its strategic planning, from the economic and military perspectives.

"For the past several months this subcommittee has been conducting an inquiry into United States aid operations, with particular reference to Iran"--Page 1.