The Geopolitics of Iran

This book assesses Iran’s role in contemporary geopolitics. In particular, it examines three main intertwining circles: Iran’s development and political challenges, its relationships with neighbouring countries, as well as its relations with the major global powers — China, the European Union, Russia, and the United States.

With contributions from over 20 authors, the book spans such critical aspects of contemporary geopolitics as modern history, natural resources, the economy, the social-political context, and strategic thinking. Particular focus is placed on Iran’s relations with its neighbours - Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Pakistan, and the Persian Gulf States. Furthermore, the book offers both a bilateral and multilateral dimension on how nuclear sanctions imposed on Iran have impacted its strategic planning, from the economic and military perspectives.

• Iran, Russia, and the Cold War
• Iran and the EU
• Iran-Saudi relations
• Iran’s military
• Iran and Afghan politics
• external financing of Iran
• China and Iran
• Theocratic Hybridization of Iran Political System
• Sanctions against Iran
• Iran’s Relations with Iraqi Shia Paramilitaries
• Iran and Africa
• Turkey-Iran Relations
• India-Iran
• U.S. sanctions on Iran
• Iran-Israel relations

• City University of Macau, Macau, China

  Francisco José B. S. Leandro

• Instituto Português de Relações Inter, Lisboa, Portugal

  Carlos Branco

• Middle East Political and Economic Institute, Bucharest City, Romania

  Flavius Caba-Maria

Francisco Leandro received a Ph.D. in political science and international relations from the Catholic University of Portugal (2010). He is currently Associate Professor and Assistant-Dean of the Institute for Research on Portuguese-Speaking Countries at the City University of Macau, China. His most recent books include Steps of Greatness: The Geopolitics of OBOR (2018), The Belt and Road Initiative: An Old Archetype of a New Development Model (2020, Palgrave MacMillan). He is a member of the OBSERVARE Lisbon, Portugal.

Carlos Branco is a retired Major General of the Portuguese Army. He was Director of the War College Security and Defense Research Centre, Portugal. He is currently a researcher with the Portuguese Institute of International Relations, and an associate researcher with the National Defense Institute. His most recent book is From the End of the Cold War to Trump and COVID-19: Betrayed Promises of the Liberal Order (2020, Edições Colibri).

Flavius Caba-Maria is President of the think tank, the Middle East Political and Economic Institute (MEPEI) in Bucharest, Romania. He has organised numerous international conferences, summer schools, and international seminars, through which current subjects and the main issues of the Middle East and its impact on Europe and relations with China have been discussed and debated.

Policies and ethics