UT Professor's book published by Routledge

Iran's Regional Relations:

A History from Antiquity to the Islamic Republic

By Seyed Mohammad Houshisadat

Book Description

Focusing on the interplay between domestic-level changes and region-wide interaction, this book provides a comprehensive analytical and theoretical survey of Iranian foreign relations in the Middle East from Antiquity until the Islamic Republic. It charts developments from the earliest regimes in Persia, including the Median kingdom and the Sassanid Empire, through rule by, amongst others, Abbasids, Mongols, Safavids and Qajars, up to the modern states of the Shah and the Islamic Republic. Throughout the author reflects on the enduring factors which have shaped Iran’s relations with the rest of the region, factors such as geography, culture, the belief systems of policy makers, the structures of decision-making and government, and sub-regional systems. Overall, the book provides a deep analysis of Iranian foreign relations in the Middle East over 4,700 years.

Table of Contents

Preface Prologue Literature Review Theoretical Framework Note on Transliteration and Dates Structure Chapter 1: Ancient Iran’s Relations in the Middle East Introduction The Elamite: Dawn of Iran The Median Kingdom: Winds of change in Persia The Achaemenid Empire: Pax Iranica The Seleucid Empire: The West against the East The Arsacid Empire: Rise of Iranshahr The Sassanid Empire: Revival of Iranshahr Conclusion Chapter 2: Medieval Iran’s Relations in the Middle East Introduction The Umayyad Caliphate: The first Muslim empire The Abbāsid Caliphate: The golden age of. Islamic civilization The Mongol Ilkhanate Empire: A dual governance system The Timurid Empire: The last great nomadic empire Conclusion Chapter 3: Modern Iran’s Relations in the Middle East Introduction The Safavid Empire: The New Persian renaissance The Afshārid Empire: The Napoleonic symbol of Persia The Zand Dynasty: Struggle for power The Qājār Dynasty: Persia under the Great Game The Pahlavi Dynasty: Oil and army Conclusion Chapter 4: Post-Revolutionary Iran’s Relations in the Middle East Introduction Centre-oriented government: Islamic liberalism Ummah-oriented government: Islamic idealism Expediency-oriented government: Islamic pragmatism Peace-oriented government: Islamic democracy Justice-oriented government: Rebirth of Islamic idealism Moderate-oriented government: Islamic realism Conclusion Epilogue: Chronology Bibliography Index

Author(s) Biography

Seyed Mohammad Houshialsadat is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Law and Political Science at the University of Tehran