"Iran and Its Place among Nations" takes a bird's-eye view of where Iran has been in the international community, where it is today, and where it may ideally end up in the future. Is Iran an Eastern country, bound by traditions that hinder economic development? Or does it also have some attributes of Western countries, given its history, geographic location, culture, and politics? Among the key insights in this book is the observation that Iran is a bridge between East and West.

Is Iran a fomenter of Islamic radicalism in the Middle East and beyond, or can it be a promoter of moderation...