Assessing Intentions: The Importance of Iran's Strategic Culture

This thesis addresses the Iranian nuclear program and the current diplomatic failures to halt its advancement. The thesis assesses Iranian intentions and the prospects for diplomatic resolution to this nuclear weapon crisis based on a better understanding of Iranian intentions. This will be achieved through the use of strategic culture, which takes into account the historical and religious sources of Iranian identity, norms, values, and perceptions. It is only through this lens that Iranian intentions can be better understood, and thus the feasibility of a diplomatic solution can be better determined. This thesis finds that strategic culture can help shape a diplomatic response, but may not stop the Iranian desire for a nuclear capability.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Defense and Strategic Studies

Year

2013

Author dc:creator

• Strain, Lindsey Jordan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kerry Kartchner

• Iran
• strategic culture
• Islam
• identity
• values
• norms
• threat perceptions
• Defense and Security Studies

Statement dc:rights

• © Lindsey Jordan Strain

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1370

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-2371