The Presidential Difference and Iran's Foreign Policy Under Khatami from 1997 to 2005 explores the paradigm shift, one that involved a change from confrontation to peaceful relations. The main reason for this alteration rests on Muhammad Khatami's belief system, whose discourse of "Dialogue Among Civilizations" aiming at coexistence and cooperation assured the international community that Iran would not pursue revolutionary aspirations, but rather seek constructive and meaningful relations based on equality, mutual respect and understanding. Azadeh Momeni argues that the cornerstone of this sea change in foreign policy rests on Khatam's intellectual thoughts which is characterized by his belief system. What sets this book apart is its unique approach, employing Operational Code Analysis to analyze Khatami's belief system. Operational Code Analysis is a quantitative method used in political psychology and international relations to understand the decision-making processes and beliefs of political leaders.
Azadeh Momeni earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, specializing in International Relations, Foreign Policy Analysis, and Middle East Studies.
"Dr. Azadeh Momeni, now emerging from the trials and tribulations of PhD research with great success, has produced a pathbreaking study of Iran's foreign policy during a tumultuous period in the republic's history. Granted, much has been written on this subject, but some books stand the test of scrutiny much better than others, and this volume will certainly stand the test of scrutiny. Based on meticulous research and an innovative conceptual framework which drives the work from the start, Dr Momeni has managed to produce a brilliant new study of President Mohammad Khatami's presidency and the logic driving his many agendas. I highly recommend this exciting new book to all those interested in one of the Islamic Republic's most interesting presidents." --Anoush Ehteshami, Durham University "Nearly twenty years after its conclusion, Mohammad Khatami's presidency remains one of the defining periods in the life of the Islamic Republic. Momeni offers a fresh analysis of Khatami's foreign policy by critically examining it within a robust analytical framework. This is an important work about a crucial, recent period of Iranian foreign policy." --Mehran Kamrava, Georgetown University in Qatar "The author addresses the origins of Iran's foreign policy in Khatami's operational code beliefs about the exercise of power and their links to his ideology and worldview." --Stephen G. Walker, Arizona State University
