Fahad M. Alsultan, Qassim University, Saudi ArabiaPedram Saeid, University of Hull, UK

• * Table of Contents **Preface *Chapter 1: Theorising Saudi-Iranian Relations *Introduction *The conceptual framework *The Individual Level of Analysis *Group Decision-Making *State-Level Analysis *Political Regimes and Foreign Policy *Institutional Actors and Structures *National Role Concept and National Interests *The System Level of Analysis *Realism and the Middle East Sub-System *The alignments and alliances patterns *Marxist theories, oil and American intervention in the region *Appropriateness of International Relations Theories to this Study *Foreign Policy Behaviours and Outcomes *Foreign Policy Behaviour *Foreign Policy Outcomes *Conclusion *Chapter 2: The Foreign Policy of Iran *Introduction *The Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Life, Personality and Political Perceptions *Domestic Structures, Actors and Foreign Policymaking in Iran *The Nature and Stability of the Iranian Regime *The Supreme Leader *The Supreme National Security Council *The Foreign Ministry and Diplomatic Service *Iranian Parliament (Majlis) *Informal Institutions and Actors *The political factions *The clerical establishment *The Iranian armed forces *Group Decision-Making in Iranian Foreign Policy *Iranian Foreign Policy Orientation *Conclusion *Chapter 3: The Foreign Policy of Saudi Arabia *Introduction *King Abdullah’s Personality and Perceptions *The Saudi Political System *The Royal Family and Foreign Policy *The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic Service *The Saudi National Security Council *The Consultative Assembly (Majlis Al-Shura) *The Religious Establishment (Ulema) *The Foreign Policy Decision Making Process *The Saudi Foreign Policy Orientation *Conclusion *Chapter 4: Saudi-Iranian Relations under Rafsanjani: A Return to Normalcy (1989-1997) *Introduction *The Iran-Iraq Ceasefire and the 1989 Makkah bombing *The Political Landscape under Rafsanjani *Ali Akbar Hamshemi Rafsanjani (1989-1997): Life, Personality and Political Perceptions *External Determinants of Bilateral Relations *The Iraq Factor *Iraqi’s invasion of Kuwait *The Iraqis’ uprising after Saddam’s defeat *The Signs of Improvement in Saudi Iranian Relations after the Second Gulf War *The Gulf Islands Dispute *Qatar gas dispute *The Unrest in Bahrain *OPEC: An Issue of Disagreement *The Khobar Bombing of 1996 *Conclusion *Chapter 5: Saudi-Iranian Relations under Khatami – An Unprecedented Breakthrough in Bilateral Relations (1997-2005) *Introduction *Domestic Developments in Iran: The Advent of the Reformist Movement and the Khatami Presidency *Muhammad Khatami: Life, Personality and Perceptions of Foreign Policy *The Saudi Response to the Khatami Presidency *The Organisation of Islamic Conference Meeting in Tehran and its Implications for Iran-Saudi Relations *Rafsanjani’s Trip to Saudi Arabia and Economic Achievements *Khatami’s Visit of Saudi Arabia and Security Pact *US-Iranian Relationship and its Impact on Saudi-Iranian Relations *Prior to 9/11 incident *In the aftermath of 9/11 incident *The Riyadh Compound Bombing of 2003 *Conclusion *Chapter 6: Saudi-Iranian Relations in Ahmadinejad’s Presidency (2005-2013): Unsteady Relations *Introduction *Domestic Developments in Iran: The Rise of New Conservatives *Mahmmud Ahmadinejad: Life, Personality and Perceptions of Foreign Policy *Initial Saudi Responses to the Ahmadinejad Victory *Makkah Organization of the Islamic Conference and Ahmadinejad’s controversial remarks *Regional Factors Influencing Two Countries’ Relations *The Competition of Iran and Saudi Arabia in Iraq *Saudi Iranian Competition over Lebanon *Iran and United States’ Relations and its Impact on the Two Countries’ Relations *The Influence of Iran Nuclear Program on the Two Countries’ Relations *The Signs of Thaw in the Two Countries’ Relations in Ahmadinejad’s First Term *Ahmadinejad’s trip to Hajj and Rafsanjani’s attendance in the Islamic Dialogue Conference in Makkah *The Oil Impact *The controversial re-election of Ahmadinejad and Saudi Arabia’s response *Arab Spring *The Terrorism and Covert Operations *Conclusion *Chapter 7: Saudi-Iranian Relations after Rouhani: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back (2013 onward) *Introduction *Rouhani’s entanglement in Ahmadinejad’s legacy *Iran and P5 + 1 interim accord in 2013 *The rise of Daesh and complexity of situation *Oil Politics *King Abdullah’s death *The two countries’ relations *Conclusion *Epilogue *Appendices *Bibliography *Index *

Select Guide Rating