Iran's Security Policy in the Post-Revolutionary Era
Religion, nationalism, ethnicity, economics, and geopolitics all are important in explaining Iran's goals and tactics in its relationship with the outside world, as are the agendas of key security institutions and the ambitions of their leaders. This report assesses Iran's security policy in light of these factors. It examines broad drivers of Iran's security policy, describes important security institutions, explores decisionmaking, and reviews Iran's relations with key countries. The authors conclude that Iraq is widely recognized as the leading threat to Iran's Islamic regime and Afghanistan is seen as an emerging threat. In contrast, Iran has solid, if not necessarily warm, relations with Syria and established working ties to Pakistan and Russia. Iran's policies toward its neighbors are increasingly prudent: It is trying to calm regional tension and end its isolation, although its policies toward Israel and the United States are often an exception to this policy. Iran's security forces, particularly the regular military, are often voices of restraint, preferring shows of force to overactive confrontations. Finally, Iran's security forces generally respect and follow the wishes of Iran's civilian leadership; conducting rogue operations is rare to nonexistent.
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Document Details
- Copyright: RAND Corporation
- Availability: Available
- Print Format: Paperback
- Paperback Pages: 125
- List Price: $20.00
- Paperback Price: $16.00
- Paperback ISBN/EAN: 0-8330-2971-1
- Document Number: MR-1320-OSD
- Year: 2001
- Series: Monograph Reports
Contents
Preface PDF
Tables PDF
Summary PDF
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgments PDF
Acronyms PDF
Chapter One
Introduction PDF
Chapter Two
Fundamental Sources of Iranian Foreign and Security Policies PDF
Chapter Three
Security Decisionmaking in Iran PDF
Chapter Four
Major Security Institutions and Their Composition PDF
Chapter Five
The Military and Iranian Society PDF
Chapter Six
Impact on Foreign Policy PDF
Chapter Seven
Implications PDF
Bibliography PDF
Authors
About the Authors PDF
Book Review Excerpts
"…Written by four of the most perceptive analysts of the Iranian security system… It is well worth reading."
- Iranian Studies
This research was conducted within RAND's National Defense Research Institute.
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