Banafsheh Keynoush

The Abraham Accords: National Security, Regional Order, and Popular Representation is a pioneering effort in discussing and analyzing the background, motivations and implications surrounding the Abraham Accords. The authors argue for a nuanced conceptual toolkit to better break down complex strands of state, regional and international interaction, interest and concern. They point to regional dynamics being vital, especially to small states or states under attack, in terms of delivering on their security objectives and by building positions of influence. The Saudi case shows how the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, perceived US policy failures, and imperatives of Vision 2030, have coalesced to differentiate its regional relations, including attempts at both “strategic autonomy” and “relational autonomy.” The degree of political consolidation, pluralism, and rentier stage are also found to be key indicators of past and future normalization trends with Israel, aspects which could have major bearings on domestic politics should the 2023 Gaza war continue or escalate further. This book includes a wealth of detail on the history and contemporary relations of Israel and Palestine and includes chapters covering all six of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, as well as Iran.

This book reveals the reasons for and ways in which the Islamic Republic of Iran challenged the world powers, through the pursuit of material and ideational goals, to advance a strong nuclear program in the past decade. The book explores Iran’s interactions with the United States of America, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Republic of India, in the period before (2011-2012), during (2013-2016) and after (2017-2021) the finalization of the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015. Iran’s narratives and actions to build middle power status are examined at length against the backdrop of its attempts to reshape global politics, the Middle East region, and the future of the nuclear nonproliferation regime.

This book reveals the reasons for and ways in which the Islamic Republic of Iran challenged the world powers, through the pursuit of material and ideational goals, to advance a strong nuclear program in the past decade. The book explores Iran’s interactions with the United States of America, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Republic of India, in the period before (2011-2012), during (2013-2016) and after (2017-2021) the finalization of the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015. Iran’s narratives and actions to build middle power status are examined at length against the backdrop of its attempts to reshape global politics, the Middle East region, and the future of the nuclear nonproliferation regime.

The mesmerizing story of two countries caught in history whose rivalry can destroy the world or restore its peace, this is the first book to untangle the complex relationship of Saudi Arabia and Iran by rejecting heated rhetoric and looking at the real roots of the issue to promise pathways to peace.

The mesmerizing story of two countries caught in history whose rivalry can destroy the world or restore its peace, this is the first book to untangle the complex relationship of Saudi Arabia and Iran by rejecting heated rhetoric and looking at the real roots of the issue to promise pathways to peace.