Reconstruction and Regional Diplomacy in the Persian Gulf

Reconstruction and Regional Diplomacy in the Persian Gulf provides a detailed analysis of the social, political, and economic patterns of interaction between Gulf states. The authors provide a consideration of the role of the superpowers in the region's political discourse, and of religion as an agent for change. Informative and accessible, this study provides a basis for explaining the current problems in the region and develops a number of provocative policy prescriptions. Contributors: M. E. Ahrari, Hooshang Amirahmadi, Anoushiravan Ehteshami, Nader Entessar, Nikki R. Keddie, George Linabury, Mohiaddin Mesbahi, Mohsen M. Milani, Augustus Richard Norton.

Since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the Persian Gulf has been a focus of both media and academic attention. The Iran-Iraq War of 1980-88 and the events surrounding the 1991 Gulf War have further enhanced the region's strategic importance.

This book goes beyond a description of recent events by analysing the social, political and economic patterns of interaction between the Gulf states. The study is deepened by a consideration of the role of the superpowers in the region's political discourse, and of religion as a force for change. Not only do the authors provide an easily accessible basis for explaining the current problems in the region; they also offer their own, sometimes provocative, policy prescriptions.

The social, political and economic patterns of interaction between the Gulf states. The authors consider the role of the superpowers and of religion, and offer their own policy prescriptions.