This book explains the foreign policy decisions of Iranian leaders, as well as the foreign policy decisions of its neighbors and major world powers. Iran is not treated primarily as a problem to be dealt with by the United States and its friends. There is an effort to understand not only the concerns and policies of the United States and its allies, but also to understand Iranian concerns and policy. Thus, this book is better able than many others to explain the actions, reactions, and interactions of all the relevant actors and to explore the prospects for future war or...

Since the end of World War II, primarily through the actions of external powers, the Korean peninsula has been divided--with North and South Korea engaged in a competition for the heart and soul of the Korean nation and international legitimacy. President Bill Clinton called the peninsula one of the scariest places on earth and some experts have referred to it as one of the last vestiges of the Cold War.

Now, well into the first decade of the 21st century and many years after the end of the Cold War, President Clinton's observation remains accurate. In fact, the argument can...

Despite the appearance of political and military stability, Egypt may be standing at the edge of a precipice as the state remains grounded in rigid authoritarianism while the population, including a struggling civil society, readies itself to make the leap to democratization. This characterization has far-reaching implications for relations between citizens and the government, as well as Egypt's foreign affairs posture, particularly in the Middle East. State repression of civil, political, and religious actors; the ineffectual provision of social services; and two religious divides,...

There are a number of factors that elevate Turkey's status in the international arena and make it an important regional actor. As a longstanding member of the western world, a candidate country to the European Union, a staunch ally of the United States, and a frontline state in the fight against terrorism, Turkey plays a key, yet often overlooked, role in world affairs. Proper understanding of how decisions regarding foreign and security issues are being taken within the state apparatus in Turkey is crucially important, especially when unexpected developments take place. Mustafa and...

To help readers understand the current state of this crucially important country, Global Security Watch Russia: A Reference Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the main foreign and defense policies of the Russian Federation.

Global Security Watch Russia focuses on political-military developments in the nation that emerged in the aftermath of the Soviet Union's collapse in December 1991. The book looks at a variety of factors that characterize Russia's position in world security matters, such as its leading position as an arms exporter and its...

Global Security Watch Lebanon is the first volume to consider all factors political, economic, religious, and actions by its neighbors that have contributed to Lebanon's violent past and that shape its current security status.

In Global Security Watch Lebanon, author David Sorenson explores Lebanon's arcane almost dysfunctional political structure and economic system, as well as the complex religious makeup of a country that is home to Christians, Jews, and Arabs with no majority faith. Sorenson also looks at how the nation has often served as a focal point of...

"Global Security Watch Central Asia" is the first authoritative examination of the security issues affecting, and affected by, the region where Russia, South Asia, China, and the Middle East meet. The author provides a comprehensive account of the strategic importance and challenges facing Central Asia written for policymakers, students, researchers, and interested general readers alike.

"Global Security Watch Central Asia" goes behind the scenes to explore both the internal factors and global influences affecting the stability of region and the nations that comprise it. Coverage...

This book provides an overview of contemporary issues in Sudan, Africa's largest nation, examining the country's history and current scene to help readers develop a deeper understanding of how much Sudan matters in today's world. With deep connections to the Sahel and savanna to the west, the African world to the south, the Horn of Africa to the east, and the Middle East to the north, Sudan is important strategically, legally, geopolitically, and militarily--but too often overlooked, or underestimated. Sudan, the country of residence of Osama bin Laden for six years, has played, and will...

Kenya plays a key role in the conflicts between the Western and Islamic worlds, making a grasp of its politics, international relations, military services, and security status an important study. "Global Security Watch--Kenya" provides a thorough introduction to the security issues facing the modern-day nation, offering policymakers, researchers, and general readers a window into this globally important, sub-Saharan country.

This expert analysis is the first to examine the strategic dimensions of Kenya and the political and military circumstances that have shaped the country. Following...

"Global Security Watch--Jordan" provides readers with an expert, comprehensive overview of significant aspects of Jordan's security, including its political, diplomatic, and alliance-building dimensions. Examining how Jordan emerged from a small Arab kingdom with arbitrary borders and no clear national identity to a confident and modernizing state, the book shows how today's nation effectively copes with a variety of geopolitical challenges.

Jordan's close relations with the United States are examined, with special attention paid to ongoing U.S.-Jordanian cooperation in fighting...