Shia Islam and Politics

This book argues that ever since Irans Islamic Revolution in 1979, which established a Shia Islamic government in Iran, that countrys religious and political leaders have used Shia Islam as a crucial way of expanding Irans objectives in the Middle East and beyond. Since 1979, Irans religious and political leaders have been concerned about Irans security in the face of the hostility and expansionism of the United States and other western countries, and the threats from powerful neighboring Sunni leaders and countries. While Irans government has attempted to align itself with Shia Muslims in various countries, such as Iraq and Lebanon, against American and Sunni expansionism, the Iranian government has attempted to religiously nourish and politically mobilize those Shias as a matter of principle, not only because of the Iranian governments desires to protect Iran from external threats. The book analyzes Shia Islam and politics in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon which have among the largest proportional Shia populations in the Middle East and are vibrant centers of Shia intellectual life. The book's clear and jargon-free approach make it especially accessible for students and general readers who would like an introduction to the book's topics.