Power, Perception, and Politics in the Making of Iranian Grand Strategy

Intro -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- Abbreviations -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- 1 Introduction: The Riddle of Iran's External Conduct -- 1.1 What's Been Written and How This Book Contributes -- 1.2 The Book's Layout -- References -- 2 Toward a Dynamic-Integrative Model of Grand Strategic Adjustments -- 2.1 Defining the Domain of Grand Strategy -- 2.2 Competing IR Theories and Why They Fall Short -- 2.3 A Theoretical Alternative -- 2.4 The Dynamic-Integrative Model of Grand Strategic Adjustments -- 2.5 Research Design and Case Selection -- References -- 3 The Theoretical Model in Context -- 3.1 The Dilemma of Measuring Relative Power -- 3.2 The Ideational Microfoundations of Threat Perception and Political Preferences -- National Identity: 'Iranianness' -- National Identity: Shi'a Islam and the Rise of Iran's Clergy -- Regime Ideology -- Role Conception -- Threat Perceptions -- Interests as Causal Bridge to Behavior -- 3.3 The Evolution of Domestic Politics and Preferences -- The 1980s: Radicals vs. Conservatives -- The 1990s: Traditional Conservatives, Centrists, and Radicals-Turned-Reformists -- The 2000s: Neoconservatives, Traditional Conservatives, Centrists, and Reformists -- The 2010s: Pragmatic vs. Traditional Conservatives -- 3.4 Grand Strategic Adjustments in Three Orders -- Soft Expansionism (Influence) -- Engagement -- Balancing and Hard Expansionism -- Subversion -- Appeasement and Bandwagoning -- Retrenchment and Diversionary Posturing -- References -- 4 After the Big Bang: Revolution, War, and Elusive Victories, 1979-1988 -- References -- 5 Sobering Up and Adjusting Course, 1989-1991 -- 5.1 Economic Reconstruction and the Rationalization of Government -- 5.2 Engagement with the GCC Monarchies, Industrialized States, and Major Powers -- 5.3 Military Rehabilitation, Modernization, and Indigenization.