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The article discusses the transformation of Iran after the Islamic Revolution in 1979. It states that the Iranian nation-state was no longer defined in terms of its connections to its ancient empires and monarchical past, rather the new regime sought to define the country as a national community united under Shi'a Islamic principles. With the new regime, the country was formed to Islamic Republic of Iran and established Islam as the state's official religion which greatly affected Iran's religious minorities.

The Iran-Iraq war remains one of the longest conflicts in the history of the modern Middle East. The war would define Iran's foreign policy orientation, as the exigencies of the conflict conditioned its approach to the United States, the Arab world, and even Israel. Along the way, Iran's leaders made a series of mistakes and miscalculations that ensured a stalemated conflict. Subordinating strategy to ideology and misplaced hopes that Iraq's population would rise to welcome Iranians as liberators contributed to prolonging a devastating war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the foreign policy of the government of Iran, as of January 2010. It focuses on Iran's efforts to become a nuclear power, and the efforts of the U.S. to prevent this, particularly through imposing sanctions. The antagonistic relationship between Iran and the U.S. which has prevailed since the late 20th century is discussed, and issues related to U.S. President Barack Obama's foreign policy initiatives are analyzed in this context. It is argued that sanctions have some effect on public opinion, but will not produce direct changes in the policy of Iran's rulers.

The article discusses the foreign policy of the government of Iran, as of January 2010. It focuses on Iran's efforts to become a nuclear power, and the efforts of the U.S. to prevent this. The antagonistic relationship between Iran and the U.S. which has prevailed since the late 20th century is discussed, and issues related to U.S. President Barack Obama's foreign policy initiatives are analyzed in this context. The Iranian people are said to have shown a desire to normalize relations with the rest of the world. However, it is argued that the country's rulers are more interested in propping up their anti-democratic regime through repressive political violence and electoral fraud.

Why do states stay revolutionary for so long? The question of why and how some political players of a country successfully pursue a revisionist strife against the status quo has neither theoretically nor empirically received systematic attention. I use a current policy issue, the crisis regarding Iran, as a single-case study to examine the issue. This article argues that answers are found in the interconnected realms of domestic politics and revolutionary ideas. In Iranian politics specifically, it is both the ideological conservative faction's occupation of key constitutional positions and pursuit of revolutionary ideas, which have caused the recurring and large degree of revolutionary zeal. In turn, this has had a significant effect on the extent of the Islamic Republic's socialization to regional and international politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines political developments in Iran, where the ruling regime of mullahs will achieve 30 years in power in 2009. The author discusses the mixture of religious dogma and Iranian nationalism that creates a tension within the country. There is also a strain of western liberalization present that complicates issues of economic prosperity.

The article discusses the reasons why Iran is not a good representative of Islamic civilization. Details about Iran's Persian past and the influences of Persian culture on Islamic states are provided. The dialogue between Islamic states and the West is explored and the domination of Western culture is examined. The religionization of modern nation-states and their role in the recognition of universal values are described. The adaptation of Iran to the modern world and modern values is also discussed.