Realpolitik and Iran's post-Saddam strategy for Iraq
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Authors
Gutzwiller, Ryan R.
Subjects
Saddam Hussein
Post-Saddam
Khameini
Khatami
Rafsanjani
Bush
Kenneth Waltz
Iran
Iraq
United States
Realpolitik
Balance-of-power
Realism
Idealism
Liberalism
National interests
Security
Policy
Domestic
Politics
Faction
Consensus
Competition
Agenda
Institution
Supreme Council for National Security
SCNS
Shi'a
Shia
Sunni
Rapprochement
Alignment
Alliance
Resurgent
Strategy
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom
Individual agenda
Institutional agenda
Anti-Teheran
Pragmatism
Influence
Engagement
Post-Saddam
Khameini
Khatami
Rafsanjani
Bush
Kenneth Waltz
Iran
Iraq
United States
Realpolitik
Balance-of-power
Realism
Idealism
Liberalism
National interests
Security
Policy
Domestic
Politics
Faction
Consensus
Competition
Agenda
Institution
Supreme Council for National Security
SCNS
Shi'a
Shia
Sunni
Rapprochement
Alignment
Alliance
Resurgent
Strategy
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom
Individual agenda
Institutional agenda
Anti-Teheran
Pragmatism
Influence
Engagement
Advisors
Nasr, Vali
Russell, James
Date of Issue
2004-06
Date
June 2004
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Throughout history, threats emerging from Iran's frontiers have significantly influenced its security policies towards Iraq. Given Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, Iran's security environment has changed a great deal. Does Iran have a strategy for post-Saddam Iraq and, if so, what is it? With few exceptions, Kenneth Waltz's Realpolitik and balance-of-power theories have guided Iran's security policy decisions. The combined effects of Iran's formative history, individual and institutional agendas, and national interests form the foundation for a Realpolitik strategy aimed at preventing a resurgent "anti-Teheran" government in Iraq. Pragmatism, consensus, influence, and competition appear to be the watchwords for an assertive strategy built upon military prudence and cross-border, multi-disciplined engagement. Iran is putting its internal political and economic house in order so as to achieve greater effectiveness in the pursuit of its national interests vis-a-vis Iraq and the United States. While an alliance is unlikely, there is alignment with the U.S.-led coalition's strategic interests in Iraq.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xii, 83 p. : col. maps
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.