Iran and the Rise of Its Neoconservatives : The Politics of Tehran's Silent Revolution

This is the book that exposes the workings of Iranian politics today. The authors penetrate the labyrinth of political relationships and family networks that is the Iranian ruling class, and reveal the forces which brought hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power. They argue that the power base behind Ahmadinejad represents a kind of Iranian version of American neoconservativism. The Iranian neocons, like their Washington counterparts, have come in from the cold. Politicians and clerics exiled from influence under the reformist President Khatami have seized their chance to get back in to power, and to push an uncompromising foreign policy agenda.Anoushiravan Ehteshami and Mahjoob Zweiri show how Ahmadinejad’s surprise victory in the 2005 elections was just one facet of this group’s strategy for regaining influence. In an analysis which has major implications for Western policymakers, the authors examine the group’s agenda on issues like Iraq, Israel and nuclear enrichment, and assess how likely it is that they will be able to implement it. “Iran and the Rise of its Neoconservatives” is the essential guide to the politics of this turbulent nation, whose importance to world security has never been more keenly felt. Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 Introduction......Page 12 Introduction......Page 22 Khatami's Rise to Power......Page 26 Development of the 2nd Khordad Movement......Page 27 The Reformist Elite and its Challenges......Page 29 Militarization of Politics in Iran since the Iran-Iraq War......Page 37 Militarization of Politics Under Khatami......Page 42 The Outcome......Page 47 Conclusion......Page 50 Introduction......Page 54 Councils (Municipal) Elections......Page 55 Seventh Majlis (Parliamentary) Elections......Page 58 Ninth Presidential Elections: The Rise of Ahmadinejad......Page 62 Conclusion......Page 66 Introduction......Page 70 The Family and Social Roots of President Ahmadinejad......Page 72 His Early Political Career......Page 75 Electoral Success: Factors and Causes......Page 78 Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the 'Third Revolution'......Page 84 Conclusion......Page 91 Introduction......Page 94 The Struggle for Power......Page 95 Ascent of the 'Populist Republic'......Page 98 The Changing of the Guard - The Rise of the Middle Generation......Page 100 Militarization of Iranian Politics Under Ahmadinejad......Page 102 Ahmadinejad and the Challenge of Governance......Page 106 Conclusion......Page 114 Introduction......Page 118 New Directions inf Foreign Policy......Page 122 Iran: Entering a New Era?......Page 126 Iraq and After: Clash of the Neoconservatives......Page 153 US Policy Options......Page 161 Conclusion......Page 164 VI. Conclusions......Page 170 Appendix......Page 176 Notes......Page 192 Bibliography......Page 216 Index......Page 226 Contents 6 Preface 8 Introduction 12 I. Reform in Iran - What Went Wrong? 22 Introduction 22 Khatami's Rise to Power 26 Development of the 2nd Khordad Movement 27 The Reformist Elite and its Challenges 29 Militarization of Politics in Iran since the Iran-Iraq War 37 Militarization of Politics Under Khatami 42 The Outcome 47 Conclusion 50 II. The Neoconservatives' March to Power 54 Introduction 54 Councils (Municipal) Elections 55 Seventh Majlis (Parliamentary) Elections 58 Ninth Presidential Elections: The Rise of Ahmadinejad 62 Conclusion 66 III. The Ahmadinejad Phenomenon 70 Introduction 70 The Family and Social Roots of President Ahmadinejad 72 His Early Political Career 75 Electoral Success: Factors and Causes 78 Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the 'Third Revolution' 84 Conclusion 91 IV. Domestic Politics and Internal Challenges Under Ahmadinejad 94 Introduction 94 The Struggle for Power 95 Ascent of the 'Populist Republic' 98 The Changing of the Guard - The Rise of the Middle Generation 100 Militarization of Iranian Politics Under Ahmadinejad 102 Ahmadinejad and the Challenge of Governance 106 Conclusion 114 V. Iran's Regional Role Under the Neoconservatives: Challenges and Prospects 118 Introduction 118 New Directions inf Foreign Policy 122 Iran: Entering a New Era? 126 Iraq and After: Clash of the Neoconservatives 153 US Policy Options 161 Conclusion 164 VI. Conclusions 170 Appendix 176 Notes 192 Bibliography 216 Index 226 "The election of the hard-line Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the Iranian Presidency in 2005 shocked the world. In this compelling book, Iran experts Anoush Ehteshami and Mahjoub Zweiri penetrate the labyrinth of Iranian politics and reveal the forces which brought Ahmadinejad to power. They argue that the power base behind Ahmadinejad represents a kind of Iranian version of American neo-conservativism. Politicians and clerics exiled from influence under the reformist President Khatami have seized their chance to get back in to power and push an uncompromising foreign policy agenda. In an analysis which has major implications for US and EU policymakers, Ehteshami and Zweiri examine this group's agenda on issues like Iraq and nuclear enrichment, and assess its strategies for implementing it. Iran and the Rise of Its Neoconservatives is the essential guide to the politics to this turbulent nation, whose importance to world security has never been more keenly felt."--Bloomsbury Publishing.

The election of the hard-line Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the Iranian Presidency in 2005 shocked the world. In this compelling book, Iran experts Anoush Ehteshami and Mahjoub Zweiri penetrate the labyrinth of Iranian politics and reveal the forces which brought Ahmadinejad to power. They argue that the power base behind Ahmadinejad represents a kind of Iranian version of American neo-conservativism. Politicians and clerics exiled from influence under the reformist President Khatami have seized their chance to get back in to power and push an uncompromising foreign policy agenda. In an analysis which has major implications for US and EU policymakers, Ehteshami and Zweiri examine this group's agenda on issues like Iraq and nuclear enrichment, and assess its strategies for implementing it. Iran and the Rise of Its Neoconservatives is the essential guide to the politics to this turbulent nation, whose importance to world security has never been more keenly felt.