Iran on the Crossroads

In recent years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been facing several important challenges to its security. Advanced nuclear programme, which is a source of conflict with Western powers, and rapid regional developments (Iraq, Egypt, Afghanistan and mainly Syria) have put that state into a very fragile or even dangerous position. International economic isolation (US, European and the United Nations’ sanctions lately) brought Iran to the edge of economic surveillance. Deep, structural economic crisis that was worsened by international sanctions is devastating the daily life of the Iranians and may serve as a good pretext for social unrests. Tehran has limited its room for manoeuvre with regard to the sanctions and it urgently needs to implement radical changes into its economy. On the political level, the election of new president – Hassan Rouhani ended the conflict between the main political figures and groups in Iran, but the status quo is still very fragile and in the near future we may expect new developments inside the Iranian decision-making centre.Full text: http://bazhum.muzhp.pl/czasopismo/589/?idno=14763