Publication

This publication explores the implications of Iran's new national security policy for the greater Middle East. The author argues that supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has decided not to compromise Iran's ascent as a regional power in order to improve its relations with the United States. He concludes that while Iran is now a major regional hegemonic power, its ascent can still be contained if the West is willing to empower the "indigenous historical foci of power" in the region such as the Sunni Arab tribes of al-Jazira.