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Iran's Rise and Rivalry with the US in the Middle East
In recent decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has poured roughly $50bn into foreign interventions. Despite facing sanctions on par with North Korea and being an international pariah, Iran has created its own sphere of influence. The future of Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen is intertwined with the fate of the Islamic Republic. What spurred Iran’s rise – and what are its motivations now? Mohsen Milani makes the case that Iran is guided by two power and deterrence. The Iran–Iraq war provided Iran the impetus to build its own military-industrial complex, while its funding, training and arming of Hezbollah – the only army not to lose against Israel – acts as a warning for anyone with designs on Iran’s territory. But power has a price. As domestic unrest rises, Iran simply cannot afford its attempts at regional dominance any longer.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 3, 2026
I have finished reading “Iran’s Rise and Rivalry with the US in the Middle East” by Mohsen. M. Milani.
“Chaos is a ladder”. Lord Baylish. Game of Thrones.
I have read few books like this one that has covered so many interlinked topics that in themselves have sprouted their own books. In all fairness the author did an admirable job of covering most of these topics convincingly. Unfortunately, any author covering modern day Iran, with the present news cycle, can expect much of what they write to become old reporting.
However, this book proves that old reporting in itself is underappreciated, especially when much nuance and detail is left out due to the exhausting pace of events and the conflicting partisan accounts made about them. From the tone of the writing this author doesn’t have an interest in supporting or degrading one or the other sides, which helps when a reader of this kind of material begs for some consistency in writing about such turbulent times.
Put simply, this book is noteworthy for showing Iranian Foreign Policy to be more nuanced than is widely reported, without in any way whitewashing the victims of it. What is even more ambitious on the author’s part is an attempt to point out continuities and differences between Iran/Persia’s different eras. Iran under the Shah insisted it be taken seriously as an influential power in it’s region. The Islamic Republic has a similar interest with a few more ideological quirks and reliance on non-state actors to add to this. At first I felt this approach was a bit timewasting, but after some reflection I saw it’s merit.
In a nutshell, Revolutionary Iranian Foreign Policy (at the time of writing) was driven by the deep state created by the original Supreme Leader Khomeni. His successor Khameini has built on this foundation. The Iran-Iraq War helped define how Revolutionary Iran would work by seeing the sidelining of the conventional military and it’s overshadowing by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). Ever since then the IRGC has basically dictated Iran’s “forward defence” policy.
In some ways the title of this book is misleading since the Iran-US relationship is more of a revisited theme than the main subject matter of this book. Instead, each chapter visits another region or country in the Middle East to chart the changes in Iranian Foreign Policy in that particular place. The patience of the reader is rewarded through some interesting revelations such as the Shah’s efforts to appeal to Shia Muslims in Lebanon years before Hezbollah existed. But perhaps the relationship that went through the most dramatic convulsions was that between Iran and Israel (next to the US), since this saw the latter turn from being an ally of convenience to a sworn enemy.
Overall, given the right amount of patience this book is well worth a read for those who want to decode the Iranian Government’s Foreign Policy Interests. I only hope the author will bring out a new edition of this book, however this latest unpredictable conflict ends.
“Chaos is a ladder”. Lord Baylish. Game of Thrones.
I have read few books like this one that has covered so many interlinked topics that in themselves have sprouted their own books. In all fairness the author did an admirable job of covering most of these topics convincingly. Unfortunately, any author covering modern day Iran, with the present news cycle, can expect much of what they write to become old reporting.
However, this book proves that old reporting in itself is underappreciated, especially when much nuance and detail is left out due to the exhausting pace of events and the conflicting partisan accounts made about them. From the tone of the writing this author doesn’t have an interest in supporting or degrading one or the other sides, which helps when a reader of this kind of material begs for some consistency in writing about such turbulent times.
Put simply, this book is noteworthy for showing Iranian Foreign Policy to be more nuanced than is widely reported, without in any way whitewashing the victims of it. What is even more ambitious on the author’s part is an attempt to point out continuities and differences between Iran/Persia’s different eras. Iran under the Shah insisted it be taken seriously as an influential power in it’s region. The Islamic Republic has a similar interest with a few more ideological quirks and reliance on non-state actors to add to this. At first I felt this approach was a bit timewasting, but after some reflection I saw it’s merit.
In a nutshell, Revolutionary Iranian Foreign Policy (at the time of writing) was driven by the deep state created by the original Supreme Leader Khomeni. His successor Khameini has built on this foundation. The Iran-Iraq War helped define how Revolutionary Iran would work by seeing the sidelining of the conventional military and it’s overshadowing by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). Ever since then the IRGC has basically dictated Iran’s “forward defence” policy.
In some ways the title of this book is misleading since the Iran-US relationship is more of a revisited theme than the main subject matter of this book. Instead, each chapter visits another region or country in the Middle East to chart the changes in Iranian Foreign Policy in that particular place. The patience of the reader is rewarded through some interesting revelations such as the Shah’s efforts to appeal to Shia Muslims in Lebanon years before Hezbollah existed. But perhaps the relationship that went through the most dramatic convulsions was that between Iran and Israel (next to the US), since this saw the latter turn from being an ally of convenience to a sworn enemy.
Overall, given the right amount of patience this book is well worth a read for those who want to decode the Iranian Government’s Foreign Policy Interests. I only hope the author will bring out a new edition of this book, however this latest unpredictable conflict ends.
July 30, 2025
Summary
This book is an excellent read for anyone interested in understanding Iran's role in the Middle East and its recent geopolitical history. Milani skillfully illustrates Iran’s dual, often conflicting goals: exporting its Islamic Revolution and safeguarding national security. These objectives, while central to the regime’s identity, are frequently at odds with one another—and Milani captures that tension effectively.
The book also challenges the simplistic portrayal of Iran as merely a reactive state resisting American imperialism. Milani presents a much more nuanced and strategic actor. Iran has successfully established an “Axis of Resistance”—a loose alliance resembling NATO in structure, aimed at confronting the United States and Israel on multiple fronts. However, as Milani argues, this model depends on unified coordination across diverse proxies, which has proven difficult in practice. The lack of ideological cohesion among Iran’s partners has prevented them from operating as a truly synchronized threat.
Iran’s current geopolitical posture, in my view, closely mirrors Cold War-era thinking—specifically, the “with us or against us” binary seen in both U.S. and Soviet strategies. This mindset, while useful in building influence, has significant limitations. Despite the considerable political, economic, and security costs, Iran continues to arm proxies and intervene in regional affairs with the primary aim of destabilizing adversaries. Until Iran’s leadership moves beyond this Cold War-style worldview, the country’s potential—and that of its people and rich culture—will remain stunted.
Reading Notes:
The Palestinian Cause
The Israel-Palestine conflict entered mainstream American consciousness with renewed force after the events of October 7th. Practically overnight, what was once a niche concern of Middle East scholars and diaspora communities became a subject of intense public debate. For the casual observer, the answer often appears simple: a two-state solution. But for those more deeply involved in Middle Eastern affairs, the path forward is far more complicated.
While the U.S. national security establishment often warns against falling for Iranian propaganda, this should not lead to dismissing the legitimacy of the Palestinian issue. I’ve observed too many discussions where valid concerns are written off simply because Iran (or other actors) have exploited them for their own purposes. Propaganda and legitimacy are not mutually exclusive. The real challenge is determining how to engage in constructive dialogue that acknowledges both the underlying moral arguments and the manipulative narratives crafted by state and non-state actors. The Palestinian question should not be a taboo topic within the security community. Discussing it candidly should not carry the risk of being branded an Islamist sympathizer or Iranian apologist.
Iran’s Imperialism
Iran seems to be repeating a familiar pattern seen in U.S. foreign policy: overextension and ideological overreach in the name of grand strategy. Tehran’s constant interference in neighboring states—often through military and paramilitary proxies—has produced short-term gains but mounting long-term consequences.
Ironically, Iran frequently positions itself as a victim of Western imperialism, yet pursues an overtly neo-imperialist policy in its own region. This contradiction is rarely emphasized in Western media coverage. Framing Iran’s actions through this lens—one of regional imperialism rather than resistance—could shift how Western audiences perceive its foreign policy behavior.
Iran’s Nuclear Question
Milani argues that the U.S. has hesitated to strike Iranian nuclear facilities due to Tehran’s drone and missile capabilities and the deterrent effect of its Axis of Resistance. While this is partially true, I don’t fully agree. Recent U.S. operations suggest that military capability is not the limiting factor—strategic restraint is.
For example, the weakening of the Axis of Resistance has enabled targeted U.S. responses, showing that military options are available but deliberately underused in favor of regional stability. This restraint shifted somewhat under President Trump, but overall, the U.S. has opted for measured responses, hoping to avoid full-scale escalation.
However, this approach often overlooks a key variable: Iran is not merely a rational state actor focused on material interests. Its leadership is deeply influenced by religious fundamentalism—willing to absorb significant risks in pursuit of ideological and theological goals. This reality is frequently underappreciated by Western policymakers, who struggle to step outside their own secular worldview and fully grasp the role that religious conviction plays in shaping the actions of Islamist and jihadi actors.
This book is an excellent read for anyone interested in understanding Iran's role in the Middle East and its recent geopolitical history. Milani skillfully illustrates Iran’s dual, often conflicting goals: exporting its Islamic Revolution and safeguarding national security. These objectives, while central to the regime’s identity, are frequently at odds with one another—and Milani captures that tension effectively.
The book also challenges the simplistic portrayal of Iran as merely a reactive state resisting American imperialism. Milani presents a much more nuanced and strategic actor. Iran has successfully established an “Axis of Resistance”—a loose alliance resembling NATO in structure, aimed at confronting the United States and Israel on multiple fronts. However, as Milani argues, this model depends on unified coordination across diverse proxies, which has proven difficult in practice. The lack of ideological cohesion among Iran’s partners has prevented them from operating as a truly synchronized threat.
Iran’s current geopolitical posture, in my view, closely mirrors Cold War-era thinking—specifically, the “with us or against us” binary seen in both U.S. and Soviet strategies. This mindset, while useful in building influence, has significant limitations. Despite the considerable political, economic, and security costs, Iran continues to arm proxies and intervene in regional affairs with the primary aim of destabilizing adversaries. Until Iran’s leadership moves beyond this Cold War-style worldview, the country’s potential—and that of its people and rich culture—will remain stunted.
Reading Notes:
The Palestinian Cause
The Israel-Palestine conflict entered mainstream American consciousness with renewed force after the events of October 7th. Practically overnight, what was once a niche concern of Middle East scholars and diaspora communities became a subject of intense public debate. For the casual observer, the answer often appears simple: a two-state solution. But for those more deeply involved in Middle Eastern affairs, the path forward is far more complicated.
While the U.S. national security establishment often warns against falling for Iranian propaganda, this should not lead to dismissing the legitimacy of the Palestinian issue. I’ve observed too many discussions where valid concerns are written off simply because Iran (or other actors) have exploited them for their own purposes. Propaganda and legitimacy are not mutually exclusive. The real challenge is determining how to engage in constructive dialogue that acknowledges both the underlying moral arguments and the manipulative narratives crafted by state and non-state actors. The Palestinian question should not be a taboo topic within the security community. Discussing it candidly should not carry the risk of being branded an Islamist sympathizer or Iranian apologist.
Iran’s Imperialism
Iran seems to be repeating a familiar pattern seen in U.S. foreign policy: overextension and ideological overreach in the name of grand strategy. Tehran’s constant interference in neighboring states—often through military and paramilitary proxies—has produced short-term gains but mounting long-term consequences.
Ironically, Iran frequently positions itself as a victim of Western imperialism, yet pursues an overtly neo-imperialist policy in its own region. This contradiction is rarely emphasized in Western media coverage. Framing Iran’s actions through this lens—one of regional imperialism rather than resistance—could shift how Western audiences perceive its foreign policy behavior.
Iran’s Nuclear Question
Milani argues that the U.S. has hesitated to strike Iranian nuclear facilities due to Tehran’s drone and missile capabilities and the deterrent effect of its Axis of Resistance. While this is partially true, I don’t fully agree. Recent U.S. operations suggest that military capability is not the limiting factor—strategic restraint is.
For example, the weakening of the Axis of Resistance has enabled targeted U.S. responses, showing that military options are available but deliberately underused in favor of regional stability. This restraint shifted somewhat under President Trump, but overall, the U.S. has opted for measured responses, hoping to avoid full-scale escalation.
However, this approach often overlooks a key variable: Iran is not merely a rational state actor focused on material interests. Its leadership is deeply influenced by religious fundamentalism—willing to absorb significant risks in pursuit of ideological and theological goals. This reality is frequently underappreciated by Western policymakers, who struggle to step outside their own secular worldview and fully grasp the role that religious conviction plays in shaping the actions of Islamist and jihadi actors.
April 5, 2026
Came across this book by pure chance, and with the onset of Trump / Netanyahu's war on Iran, it could not be more timely.
The book clearly breaks down how Iran has acted in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Palestine, to pursue (and sometimes act contrary) to its national interests. I think this is a must read book to give a brief outline of the 'Axis of resistance', and get more detail on the role Iran has played with Hamas Hezbollah and the Houthi's. Far to often news companies throw around the word ' Iran backed' / 'Iranian proxies', with most viewers having little understanding what this actually means in the real world. This book gives a much better understanding of this.
It is however quite a short book, straight to the facts, however certainly written in a very interesting way. It does not analyse the moral aspects, purely the facts. The book mainly focus's on Irans actions regarding these 5 areas, and does not look at the overall relationship between Iran and the US.
5* Very enjoyable and informative read
The book clearly breaks down how Iran has acted in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Palestine, to pursue (and sometimes act contrary) to its national interests. I think this is a must read book to give a brief outline of the 'Axis of resistance', and get more detail on the role Iran has played with Hamas Hezbollah and the Houthi's. Far to often news companies throw around the word ' Iran backed' / 'Iranian proxies', with most viewers having little understanding what this actually means in the real world. This book gives a much better understanding of this.
It is however quite a short book, straight to the facts, however certainly written in a very interesting way. It does not analyse the moral aspects, purely the facts. The book mainly focus's on Irans actions regarding these 5 areas, and does not look at the overall relationship between Iran and the US.
5* Very enjoyable and informative read
April 17, 2026
This nonfiction, ‘Iran’s Rise and Rivalry with the US in the Middle East’, by Mohsen M. Milani, is written with a prism of someone sitting in the West and not with a neutral vantage point. The book has eight chapters ranging from Western influence during the Shah’s rule to the Iran-Iraq war, to the influence of Iran on other neighboring countries such as Lebanon. There is unnecessary ancient history in the chapters that the author could have done away with and better had stuck to the modern history. There were some insights in the book that made me wonder how complex the relationships among the countries are in real life and not as black & white as is portrayed in the news. I also wonder how come Iran affords funding to others when its own economy is in tatters and people are in distress- as reported in the media. The book is an average read to understand Iran’s influence in the Middle East and the rivalry it has with the US not only in the region but beyond. I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I thought I would. I give it 🌟🌟🌟
March 8, 2026
Rating - 4 stars
NPS - 10 (Promoter)
A new era has dawned, as Iran’s younger generations come of political age. They do not remember the Shah, or the Islamic Revolution that overthrew him, so their sympathies don’t lie with the revolution’s current torchbearers.
This is an academic read about the history of Iran’s relationship with the US. I started reading this after the recent conflict commenced in February 2026; it gave really good insights on Iran’s history, their foreign policy, and how they look at the western countries and the Gulf region.
It’s a good read if you want to understand context to whatever is happening today.
NPS - 10 (Promoter)
A new era has dawned, as Iran’s younger generations come of political age. They do not remember the Shah, or the Islamic Revolution that overthrew him, so their sympathies don’t lie with the revolution’s current torchbearers.
This is an academic read about the history of Iran’s relationship with the US. I started reading this after the recent conflict commenced in February 2026; it gave really good insights on Iran’s history, their foreign policy, and how they look at the western countries and the Gulf region.
It’s a good read if you want to understand context to whatever is happening today.
April 29, 2025
This is a good book, although it was more a serious of accounts of various Middle Eastern conflicts. I was expecting and hoping for more reflections or insights into why things actually went the way they did. Iran's decision to back Palestinian groups (which is not in ts national interest, and some Shia groups like the Lebanese Amal were pro-Israel early on) could have been further elaborated.
June 7, 2025
This book looks at Iran's involvement in the political and military situation in surrounding countries. It is well-written and somewhat timely, but does not include the latest developments, despite being published this year. The author does a good job of considering the various facets of Iran's political ideology.
April 11, 2026
Good read but focuses more on Iran's alliances/activities with other countries, rather than an analysis of its rise.
April 2, 2026
This is a masterful, organised and well structured insight into the thrusts of Iran’s contemporary foreign policy, written by an Iranian.
The book does a brilliant job at separating the foreign policy attitudes through its eras — first, and briefly, the history of Persian foreign policy, followed by its pre-WW2 policies, the Shah’s and finally that of the Islamic Republic. It then deep-dives into this contemporary foreign policy through the lens of the key pillars of Iran’s foreign policy in Iran’s near abroad — Iraq, Syria, Hezbollah, Yemen and Gaza — each getting its own chapter. The product is thus clear and leave little room for confusion, aided by Milani’s accessible prose.
If there was one criticism of the book it would be that which was out of the author’s control: the book was completed in early 2024, well before the decimation of Hezbollah, the fall of Assad in Syria, the coordinated attack by the US and Israel in June 2025, and of course, the ongoing war that began in February 2026. These events represent abject setback in Iran’s foreign policy, which makes the book slightly outdated given that at the time of completion it seemed like Iran’s foreign policy remained a relative success. The author addresses these developments briefly in the introduction of later editions of the book, but given their significance, is insufficient!
At the time of this writing, the war between Iran and the US and Israel is ongoing, Ayatollah Khomeini, who features strongly in the book, has been eliminated, Iran has struck its Gulf neighbours and in an unprecedented move, closed the Straits of Hormuz, sending the global economy in panic. These are major developments that signify a new phase in Iranian foreign policy which I suspect would lead to changes in the book. All this means is that we can be excited for the next edition, or the next project from Milani. That said, the book as is will give pause to those who try to paint Iran as some an innocent victim of the current war.
This is essential reading for anyone interested in Iranian foreign policy and Middle East geopolitics.
The book does a brilliant job at separating the foreign policy attitudes through its eras — first, and briefly, the history of Persian foreign policy, followed by its pre-WW2 policies, the Shah’s and finally that of the Islamic Republic. It then deep-dives into this contemporary foreign policy through the lens of the key pillars of Iran’s foreign policy in Iran’s near abroad — Iraq, Syria, Hezbollah, Yemen and Gaza — each getting its own chapter. The product is thus clear and leave little room for confusion, aided by Milani’s accessible prose.
If there was one criticism of the book it would be that which was out of the author’s control: the book was completed in early 2024, well before the decimation of Hezbollah, the fall of Assad in Syria, the coordinated attack by the US and Israel in June 2025, and of course, the ongoing war that began in February 2026. These events represent abject setback in Iran’s foreign policy, which makes the book slightly outdated given that at the time of completion it seemed like Iran’s foreign policy remained a relative success. The author addresses these developments briefly in the introduction of later editions of the book, but given their significance, is insufficient!
At the time of this writing, the war between Iran and the US and Israel is ongoing, Ayatollah Khomeini, who features strongly in the book, has been eliminated, Iran has struck its Gulf neighbours and in an unprecedented move, closed the Straits of Hormuz, sending the global economy in panic. These are major developments that signify a new phase in Iranian foreign policy which I suspect would lead to changes in the book. All this means is that we can be excited for the next edition, or the next project from Milani. That said, the book as is will give pause to those who try to paint Iran as some an innocent victim of the current war.
This is essential reading for anyone interested in Iranian foreign policy and Middle East geopolitics.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews