Synopses & Reviews
A variety of political, economic, social, and security factors have created a situation conducive to the gradual formation of a regional grouping in West Asia. The countries of the Persian Gulf, Caucasus, and Central Asia are gradually gathering around Iran, a rising regional power. Regional and international isolation, sanctions, the Iran-Iraq War, and financial difficulties deprived Iran of its suppliers and forced it to develop itself to meet its needs.
Iran has long-term interests in these three neighboring and energy-producing regions where the United States also has strategic interests. Peimani argues that the current unfriendly relations between the two countries are counterproductive for both and damage their interests. They can and must cooperate in these regions as their interests are not opposite and antagonistic, but different and compatible. Their interests require stability in these regions, for which the two should cooperate. As he points out, they must and can normalize their relations, among other factors, to preserve their long-term interests in these regions and elsewhere.
Review
...a very timely and welcome contribution to the literature on contemporary Iran. It is especially useful for scholars, journalists, and policy makers as Iran continues to rewrite a new chapter in its foreign policy and as U.S.-Iranian relations are showing encouraging signs of a new revivial.Journal of Third World Studies
Synopsis
Argues that Iran and America have compatible interests in West Asia.
Synopsis
Iran is rising as a regional power and the leader of the West Asian regional grouping consisting of three energy-producing regions of the Persian Gulf, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Iran and the United States have strategic interests in these regions, and Peimani argues that these interests are compatible, not antagonistic. Common interest in the stability of these regions will force them to draw back from hostility and seek cooperation.
About the Author
HOOMAN PEIMANI is an independent consultant with United Nations agencies in Geneva, Switzerland.