Iran At The Crossroads

At the dawn of the 21st century, we are witnessing the redefining and reforming of the Islamic Republic, a struggle between the President Khatami's reformist agenda and more militant conservative forces led by Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran's Supreme Religious Guide. The Islamic Republic of Iran at 20 is a place of new promises and aspirations whose political, economic, and socioeconomic struggles have significance not only for Iranians but also for Iran's relations with the international community. Iran at the Crossroads provides an intimate view of Iran, domestically and internationally, and the current struggle to reconstruct and thus relegitimate the revolution. This volume includes essays by American, European, and Iranian scholars writing on the extraordinary changing situation in Iran today.

At the dawn of the 21st century, we are witnessing the redefining and reforming of the Islamic Republic, a struggle between the President Khatami's reformist agenda and more militant conservative forces led by Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran's Supreme Religious Guide. The Islamic Republic of Iran at 20 is a place of new promises and aspirations whose political, economic, and socioeconomic struggles have significance not only for Iranians but also for Iran's relations with the international community. Iran at the Crossroads provides an intimate view of Iran, domestically and internationally, and the current struggle to reconstruct and thus relegitimate the revolution. This volume includes essays by American, European, and Iranian scholars writing on the extraordinary changing situation in Iran today.

Library Journal

The Islamic Republic of Iran has now entered its third decade of existence. Many of the revolutionary organs and governmental institutions that were established after the overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy in 1979 have now become institutionalized. Domestically, over the past 20 years reforms have been gradually introduced in political, social, and economic areas with varying degrees of success. In the international arena, Iran has generally normalized its once stormy relations with the outside world and has entered into various cooperative arrangements with its neighbors. This engaging and informative book, edited by two respected scholars of Middle Eastern studies, Esposito (Georgetown Univ.) and Ramazani (Univ. of Virginia), analyzes both the accomplishments of the Islamic Republic and the challenges that lie ahead. The contributors to this scholarly yet accessible volume give us a fascinating picture of contemporary Iranian society, culture, politics, and economics. Highly recommended for academic and large public libraries. Nader Entessar, Spring Hill Coll., Mobile, AL Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

John L. Esposito is University Professor, Professor of Religion and International Affirs, and Director of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University.

R.K. Ramazani is Edward R. Stettinius Professor Emeritus of Government and Foreign Affairs at the University of Virginia.