Into the Shadows: Radical Vigilantes in Khatami's Iran [Paperback]

Michael Rubin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

Among the many political systems in the Middle East, the regime in the Islamic Republic of Iran stands out as one of the most peculiar. There, the formal government--president, parliament, and other official governing components-- is paralleled by more powerful revolutionary institutions that help shape regime policy. But a third influential stand in Irans volatile political dynamic is more unfamiliar to many, namely, the vigilante groups used by hard-liners to intimidate reformers with raw violence. In this Washington Institute Policy Paper, historian Michael Rubin presents an incisive and comprehensive survey of Iran's vigilantes, or " pressure groups, " along with an exploration of the deep roots these groups have in modern Iranian history. Drawing on both a wide array of Persian language sources and his own research conducted in Iran, Dr. Rubin concludes that--despite the inevitability of political change suggested by demographic and economic realities in the Khatami era--the prospects for real reform in Iran within the existing system of rule are weakened by vigilante activism. The strategic use of vigilantes to frustrate reform also raises important policy issues for the U.S. government. The United States, Dr. Rubin argues should not tolerate a shell game in which vigilantes--sponsored by those in power--carry out hostile actions for which the regime then conveniently denies responsibility. If the Iranian president cannot effectively suppress the vigilante groups, then he may be too weak a figure to implement meaningful changes in foreign or domestic policy. Understanding the threat these vigilante groups pose can only improve America's ability to formulate effectivepolicy toward Iran. This valuable Policy Paper, incredibly rich in detail, brings vital scholarship to bear on that understanding.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Rubin is currently a visiting professor of Iranian history at the University of Sulaymani in northern Iraq and a 2000-2001 Fellow of the Carnegie Council on Ethics in International Affairs. He simultaneously served as a Lecturer of History at Yale University and a Soref research fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy during 1999-2000.

Product Details

• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: Washington Institute for Near East Policy (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0944029450
• ISBN-13: 978-0944029459
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,840,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific analysis, January 31, 2005

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Policy boy "Policy boy" (Bent Elbow, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into the Shadows: Radical Vigilantes in Khatami's Iran (Paperback)

Succinct explanation and summary of forces at play in modern Iran. Particularly timely in light of modern events. This should be required reading for the people who set US foreign policy.