by Hooman Majd
First published 2011
Iran stands at a crossroads between democratic aspirations and authoritarian reality. Hooman Majd draws on his unique access to Iranian power brokers to examine the country's complex political system following the tumultuous 2009 presidential elections. He reveals how Iran's elaborate governing structure operates behind closed doors and explores the nation's global ambitions. Majd documents the violent crackdown that followed the disputed election results and analyzes what this means for Iran's future. His investigation shows why Western hopes for Iranian democratization may be misplaced. The book warns that Iran's current trajectory poses serious challenges for regional stability and world peace. Majd offers readers an insider's view of a political culture that remains opaque to most outsiders.
Genres: history, international-relations, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, middle-east, current-affairs, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: insider-perspective, political-intrigue
Setting: Iran
Period: 2009
282 pages · Paperback · W. W. Norton & Company