Iran and the Rise of its Neoconservatives The Politics of Tehran's Silent Revolution

by Ehteshami, Anoushiravan; Zweiri, Mahjoob

• ISBN13: 9781845113889
• ISBN10: 1845113888
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-08-15
• Publisher: I. B. Tauris

Summary

In this compelling book, the authors penetrate the labyrinth of Iranian politics and reveal the forces which brought Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power. They argue that the power base behind him represents a kind of Iranian version of American neo-conservativism. Politicians and clerics exiled from influence under the reformist President Khatami have seized their chance to get back in to power and push an uncompromising foreign policy agenda. In an analysis which has major implications for US and EU policymakers, Ehteshami and Zweiri examine this group's agenda on issues like Iraq and nuclear enrichment, and assess its strategies for implementing it.

Author Biography

Anoush Ehteshami is Professor of International Relations and Head of the School of Government and International Affairs at the University of Durham, where he is also Director of the Institute for Middle East and Islamic Studies. 
 
Mahjoob Zweiri is a Fellow in the Modern Political History of the Middle East at the University of Durham.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Introduction	p. xi
Reform in Iran-What Went Wrong?	p. 1
Introduction	p. 1
Khatami's Rise to Power	p. 5
Development of the 2nd Khordad Movement	p. 6
The Reformist Elite and its Challenges	p. 8
Militarization of Politics in Iran since the Iran-Iraq War	p. 16
Militarization of Politics Under Khatami	p. 21
The Outcome	p. 26
Conclusion	p. 29
The Neoconservatives' March to Power	p. 33
Introduction	p. 33
Councils (Municipal) Elections	p. 34
Seventh Majlis (Parliamentary) Elections	p. 37
Ninth Presidential Elections: The Rise of Ahmadinejad	p. 41
Conclusion	p. 45
The Ahmadinejad Phenomenon	p. 49
Introduction	p. 49
The Family and Social Roots of President Ahmadinejad	p. 51
His Early Political Career	p. 54
Electoral Success: Factors and Causes	p. 57
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the 'Third Revolution'	p. 63
Conclusion	p. 70
Domestic Politics and Internal Challenges Under Ahmadinejad	p. 73
Introduction	p. 73
The Struggle for Power	p. 74
Ascent of the 'Populist Republic'	p. 77
The Changing of the Guard - The Rise of the Middle Generation	p. 79
Militarization of Iranian Politics Under Ahmadinejad	p. 81
Ahmadinejad and the Challenge of Governance	p. 85
Conclusion	p. 93
Iran's Regional Role Under the Neoconservatives: Challenges and Prospects	p. 97
Introduction	p. 97
New Directions in Foreign Policy	p. 101
Iran: Entering a New Era?	p. 105
Iraq and After: Clash of the Neoconservatives	p. 132
US Policy Options	p. 140
Conclusion	p. 143
Conclusions	p. 149
Tables	p. 155
Notes	p. 171
Bibliography	p. 195
Index	p. 205
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