Publication

This paper discusses the continuities and changes in Iranian foreign policy since 9/11. The author argues that the main area of continuity has been the pursuit of detente with the EU and conservative Arab states. The main changes are seen as new divisions between advocates of the pursuit of selective bandwagoning with the US on Afghanistan and Iraq, and advocates of asymmetric strategies aimed at driving the US out of the region. The author claims that both strategies are designed to ensure that Iran will become a nuclear power, but that it is not clear how many of the political figures associated with each strategy intend to weaponize Iran’s nuclear program.