This book attempts to understand both the nature and the consequences of the current conflict between Iraq and Iran. It is based on a research project initiated by the auspices of the Programme for Strategic and International Security Studies in Geneva.

This book attempts to understand both the nature and the consequences of the current conflict between Iraq and Iran. It is based on a research project initiated by the auspices of the Programme for Strategic and International Security Studies in Geneva.

Iran-Saudi Arabia Relations and Regional Order studies relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, focusing in particular on the period since 1991. After a brief introductory section examining the record of relations between these two countries in the aftermath of the 1979 Iranian revolution, the authors examine four aspects of their current relationship: - the military balance and military threat perceptions - opposing views on questions of regional security - ideological competition on Islamic issues, and - economic differences, expressed through oil production and pricing policies. Each of these issues directly affects the security of both the Iranian and Saudi governments. Deterioration in one aspect has the capacity to exacerbate relations in the other three, increasing mistrust and injecting a sense of imminent crisis into many of the day-to-day issues that arise between Iran and Saudi Arabia.;The factors which tend to destabilise this relationship have been reinforced during the past seventeen years, so much so that any schemes for managing the security of this key strategic region through the co-operation of its principal states will remain extremely remote.

Terrorism and the Middle East are often connected. The fear that these will be a future source of threat with weapons of mass destruction, notably nuclear or biological weapons, has grown in recent years. This book looks at the politics of one important state in the region - Iran - and concludes that political reform in that country is changing it in ways that are reducing it as a threat to its neighbours and to international security.

Terrorism and the Middle East are often connected. The fear that these will be a future source of threat with weapons of mass destruction, notably nuclear or biological weapons, has grown in recent years. This book looks at the politics of one important state in the region - Iran - and concludes that political reform in that country is changing it in ways that are reducing it as a threat to its neighbours and to international security.

Iran is aggressively seeking nuclear technology that could be used for making weapons -and its quest has set off alarms throughout the world. This widespread concern stems in part from Iran's uncertain intentions and recent history. Will it remain a revolutionary power determined to subvert its Sunni Arab neighbors, destroy Israel, and spread theocratic government to other lands? Or would an Iran with nuclear weapons merely defend its territory from foreign aggression and live in peace with its neighbors? Are the country's leaders and society willing to negotiate limits on nuclear capability and normalize relations with the West, or will they resist accommodation? Iran's Nuclear Ambitions provides a rare, balanced look into the motivations, perceptions, and domestic politics swirling around Iran. Shahram Chubin, an Iranian-born security expert, details the recent history of Iran's nuclear program and diplomacy. He argues that the central problem is not nuclear technology, but rather Iran's behavior as a revolutionary state, with ambitions that collide with the interests of its neighbors and the West. Topics include: The view from Tehran Iran's nuclear energy rationale Domestic politics, and decisionmaking Sources of concern, including the nature of Iran's regime Its nuclear infrastructure, Missile development, and terrorism Iran's negotiating strategy The international response Iran and regional security, including the U.S. as a threat and rival Iran's regional ambitions, and Israel Policy options

The proceedings of a group of experts who gathered to discuss the insurgency in Iraq, the Arab-Israeli situation, the terrorist threat, internal security in Saudi Arabia, and Iran and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction These proceeding present an informal discussion among a group of experts who explored a set of five topics: the insurgency in Iraq, the Arab-Israeli situation, the terrorist threat, internal security in Saudi Arabia, and Iran and the proliferation of WMD. Each topic was addressed with an eye toward understanding their implications for the region as a whole and exploring what the broader consequences might be for American and European policy.

Religion, nationalism, ethnicity, economics, and geopolitics all are important in explaining Iran's goals and tactics in its relation-ship with the outside world, as are the agendas of key security institutions and the ambitions of their leaders.