EP 28 - Iran's Grand Strategy: A Political History with Vali Nasr

The popular narrative surrounding the mindset of Iran's leaders as motivated by faith or exporting the revolution is dangerously misplaced as it does not take into account what has primarily driven events in the country and the region.In this episode of Books in 5, the author of "Iran's Grand Strategy: A Political History" joins us to reveal his work in breaking the myths that American policymakers have towards Iran, how the war with Iraq in the 1980's is the foundation of Iran's outlook, the importance of the IRGC as a formidable actor and what the nuclear program is really about.With the nation and the broader Middle East undergoing tremendous change, it is critical to have an accurate understanding of Iran's history and it's worldview.Vali Nasr is the Majid Khadduri Professor of International Affairs and Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. His books include The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat, The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future, and (with Ali Gheissari) Democracy in Iran: History and the Quest for Liberty. His writing has appeared in leading publications such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Foreign Affairs.  press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/978069...  https://sais.jhu.edu/users/vnasr1  x.com/vali_nasr