Proceedings American Philosophical Society Vol 141 No 1 1997

Introduction -- Delusive utopia -- Irrepressible present -- Theorizing the uncontainable -- Inverted 'history' -- Death of diplomacy -- Diplomacy reborn -- Violence of ignorance -- Conclusions: In the shadow of power politics.

"Defining what is the strategic culture of the Islamic Republic of Iran since 1979 is challenging. Its nature is often contradictory and paradoxical and its meaning elusive. It is framed in large part by Tehran's stratagem to confront its adversaries. The foreign policy of the "strategically lonely" Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) is a byproduct of competition between Islamic universalism and Iranian nationalism. Iran, while feeling threatened by a number of states, including the United States, has ambitions beyond the size of its conventional forces. To address both its perceived threats and satisfy its grand strategic ambitions, Iran relies on armed surrogates, large volunteer forces, a "guerrilla navy", strategic rockets and missiles, and soft power. In the first issue of the MES Monograph Series, the author notes that "strategic culture of the IRI has had profound impact on its approach to statecraft, strategy, and war." Through an examination of Iran's "way of war," the author offers specific suggestions for the United States to better engage or deal with Iran."--Back cover.