Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Assessing The Role Of The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ Extraterritorial Activities In Attaining Iran’S Foreign Policy Goals, Hamza Demirel

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation aims at analyzing the role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ (IRGC) extraterritorial activities in attaining Iran’s foreign policy goals. Based on observations and assessments from internal and external determinants, Iran’s foreign policy goals are defined as follows: regime survival, which is an indispensable goal of Iranian foreign policy, is above everything; state security and survival; projecting power and becoming the dominant power in the region.

The regime has deliberately supported several armed non-state actors to achieve the aforementioned goals, and as seen in the case studies, the IRGC has served as a node in providing a broad …

The Middle East In World Affairs Understanding Iran's Changing Transnational And International Role, Marla Renfro

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

In 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran emerged on the international stage and began to establish itself as a participant in global terrorism. Throughout the period 1979-96, officials linked numerous terrorist actions and operations to Iran; this link could have involve Iran's direct sponsorship or indirect involvement, such as by providing monetary support to operatives. In order to develop strategies to prevent or minimize the threat of terrorist attack, Iran's role in global terrorism must be assessed.

The purpose of this work is threefold: to demonstrate the role taken by Iran in global terrorism from 1979 to 1996, to explain …

Iranian Foreign Policy Shedding The Pariah Image, Joseph Edward Gleason Jr.

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

This study analyzes Iranian foreign policy since 1979 to determine if Iran is a pariah state in the international community. To determine Iran's isolation in the international community, various factors were examined, including diplomatic relations, political leverage, relations with the United Nations, and the ability to acquire military hardware. Iran's status was compared with three generally accepted pariah states, Taiwan, Israel, and South Africa to determine the degree of isolation faced by the Islamic Republic. This study determined that Iran remains a pariah state, but is less isolated than most pariah states because its objectionable behavior, its aggressive foreign policy, …