The Struggle for Iran

The essays and reviews delve into Iran's political landscape from the late 1990s to the present, analyzing the reformist movements under Muhammad Khatami and the hard-line policies of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Christopher de Bellaigue explores the influence of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the complexities of Iran's nuclear ambitions, assessing Western intervention possibilities. Additionally, he examines the potential for liberalization and democratization amid a youthful population striving for change while navigating the tension between Western influences and their own cultural identity.