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The Battle of the Ayatollahs in Iran: The United States, Foreign Policy, and Political Rivalry since 1979
Understanding the foreign policy agenda and behavior of the Islamic Republic of Iran is a critical challenge for the world. But where do the principal Iranian regime actors come from in terms of political background, experiences and interests? Which types of ambitions or policy conflicts have dominated and shaped foreign policy debates since 1979?
This book explains the internal policy process in Tehran by following two regime personalities, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who before his death in January 2017 held some of the most powerful political positions in Iran. No two men have been more influential in dictating the regime’s decision-making processes since 1979. Yet little is known about how their competing worldviews and interests, their key moments of dispute – both personal or policy-based – or their personal ambitions have informed the trajectory of Iranian politics. The book analyzes Khamenei and Rafsanjani’s own words and writings - and accounts of them given by others - to reveal how the domestic policy contest has shaped Tehran’s actions on the regional and international stage. Comprising primary and secondary Iranian sources - including untapped memoirs, newspaper reports, and Iranian electronic media and personal interviews - the book highlights the principal rivalries over the lifespan of the Islamic Republic and offers new insights into the present and future of Iranian foreign policy.
This book explains the internal policy process in Tehran by following two regime personalities, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who before his death in January 2017 held some of the most powerful political positions in Iran. No two men have been more influential in dictating the regime’s decision-making processes since 1979. Yet little is known about how their competing worldviews and interests, their key moments of dispute – both personal or policy-based – or their personal ambitions have informed the trajectory of Iranian politics. The book analyzes Khamenei and Rafsanjani’s own words and writings - and accounts of them given by others - to reveal how the domestic policy contest has shaped Tehran’s actions on the regional and international stage. Comprising primary and secondary Iranian sources - including untapped memoirs, newspaper reports, and Iranian electronic media and personal interviews - the book highlights the principal rivalries over the lifespan of the Islamic Republic and offers new insights into the present and future of Iranian foreign policy.
264 pages, Paperback
Published May 6, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 31, 2021
A great book and an outstanding contribution to the last 43 years of Iran’s history! Highly recommended!
August 15, 2025
An interesting and well-told look at the friendship and later rivalry between the two men who, as the author puts it, did more to shape the present-day Islamic Republic of Iran than anyone else since Ruhollah Khomeyni. It is clear and easy to follow, and accessible to everyone without (much) prior knowledge. Though it has quite a bit of bias, what book about present-day Iran can claim to be? This is probably one of the books I'd most recommend to understand how Iranian domestic politics came to be the way they are today.
Unfortunately, I also found it to also be marred by numerous typos, which hampered my read somewhat.
Unfortunately, I also found it to also be marred by numerous typos, which hampered my read somewhat.
June 12, 2024
Vatanka’s storytelling ability and research make this the single best book about Iranian politics I have read. He is also blunt and objective. I reviewed it in @tabletmag.com and I hope it is the best review he ever got.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews