Iran and Its Neighbors
Overview: Iran and Its Neighbors()
August 20, 2007 Iran's leaders, both before and after the Islamic Revolution, have seen their nation as the key regional power in the Middle East. But since the revolution, Iran has been consistently unable to fulfill this ambition, hampered as it has been by bad economic policies, internal conflicts, and Shia revolutionary fervor that threatened its mostly Sunni neighbors.
Part 1: Iran's Ambitions Spark Fears in the Muslim World()
August 20, 2007 As Iran strengthens its military and political muscle, the nation's leaders seek to increase its influence over the Middle East. But Iran's ambitious talk of revolution worries its Arab neighbors.
Part 2: Fearing Iran, West Looks to Saudi Arabia()
August 21, 2007 As Iran's strength and influence expands, many in the region and the West are counting on Saudi Arabia to keep Tehran in check. But Saudi analysts say that those expectations are unrealistic.
Part 3: Iran and Syria: An Alliance Shaped by Mutual Foes()
August 22, 2007 The two governments, one secular and one Islamist, have shared an unlikely but strong bond over the last quarter-century, cemented by a mutual suspicion of Saddam Hussein.
Part 4: Israel Haunted by Nuclear Threat from Iran()
August 23, 2007 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has, on several occasions, publicly called for Israel to be "eliminated." Some Israelis say that with Iran's nuclear ambitions and growing regional clout, the threat of a war between the two nations looms.
Part 5: Religion, History Shape Relationship with Iraq()
August 24, 2007 Iran's relationship with Iraq has always been torn between ties of history, religion and blood — and some of the bitterest hatreds in the Middle East.
Part 6: U.S. Relations with Iran Remain Cool()
August 25, 2007 For now, the United States and Iran talk only under certain circumstances — such as the meetings that U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker has had with his Iranian counterpart to discuss security in Iraq.
