Iran’s Soft Power in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Soft power is not the exclusive preserve of superstates like the US and China in influencing the world around them. Focusing on Iran this new book spotlights the ways Iran brings soft power to bear on neighbouring Afghanistan and Pakistan in shaping the cultural, economic and strategic relations in its immediate region. -- Howard Brasted, University of New England A fascinating study of the soft-hard power nexus that sheds light on how historical memories, language, culture, institutions and instruments of influence used by Iran have resulted in differing outcomes in Afghanistan and Pakistan, while enabling Tehran to recruit Shi’a youth in these two states to advance its strategic interests in the ‘Shi’ite crescent’. -- Samina Yasmeen, University of Western Australia Iran’s Soft Power in Afghanistan and Pakistan is a timely and insightful offering that sheds much needed light on Iranian relations with both of the other states [...] The book will certainly be a useful reference work for scholars interested in Iranian foreign policy and soft power. -- Edward Wastnidge, Open University * Middle East Journal * A valuable contribution to understanding the specifics and issues of Iran's soft power policies in individual countries, particularly Afghanistan and Pakistan. The research value is enhanced by its use of not only existing theoretical literature and media publications but also data obtained from qualitative interviews. -- Artyom Tonoyan * Contemporary Eurasia *