The Bear And The Lion

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In his provocative analysis of Soviet goals in Southwest Asia, particularly Iran, Sicker argues that Soviet imperialism in this area exhibits a remarkable consistency from tsarist times to the present. Directly challenging prevailing beliefs of diminished Soviet interest in Iran or the Persian Gulf, Sicker asserts that the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, their history of interest in the area, and the region's growing geopolitical significance all enhance the probability of a Soviet move to bring Iran into its sphere of influence.

Moreover, Sicker demonstrates Soviet goals in the area are long term and are not subject to revision as a consequence of temporary setbacks or a change in Soviet leadership. Students and policymakers will find The Bear and the Lion both a realistic appraisal of the importance of Iran to the Soviet Union and a comprehensive historical analysis of the roots of that interest.

Sicker begins by examining the era of tsarist expansionism, demonstrating that Russia's strategic interest in Iran can be traced back as far as the reign of Peter the Great. He goes on to examine Iran's emerging strategic importance during the 19th century, exploring the geopolitical importance of Iran to the Soviet Union both before and after the discovery of oil there.

Subsequent chapters trace during the Second World War, the era of Muhammad Reza Shah, and the Khomieni regime. Based on his analysis, Sicker concludes that Soviet imperialism is very much a reality in the region and that this constitutes a serious threat to the territorial integrity and political independence of Iran, and to U.S. interests in the area.

Review: ?This timely volume by Sicker, a political scientist and a former senior executive of the US government, is primarily concerned with the examination of the context and character of the current Soviet interest in Iran, particularly from the perspective of the global implications of that interest.

Much of the book is devoted to a study of the historical continuity of Russian imperialist policy with respect to Iran from Peter the Great to the present. Sicker claims that the character and significance of Soviet aims and policies with respect to Iran can only be deduced from the history of the past two centuries, not from the events of the last two decades.

Furthermore, he argues that the Soviet interest in Iran is now taking on strategic dimensions that dwarf the previous significance of that country to the Russians. While the US has but the most tenuous of toeholds in the region and none at all in Iran--its strategically most important state--Soviet imperialism is very much alive and operative.

Soviet strategy is oriented toward shifting the balance of power in its favor by ensuring the loss of American influence and position in the region. For upper-level students and faculty.?-Choice