By R.K. Ramazani
AIC Honorary Board Member and University of Virginia Professor

The behavior of small powers suits their interests, not necessarily the U.S. as the world’s dominant power. When Russia, China and Iran behave in their interests, these often do not coincide with America’s global vision as the world’s superpower, resulting in friction and discord. 

Trying to predict Iran’s behavior on the basis of its own worldview as a small power, Ramazani argued in a recent book that Iran would likely forgo its nuclear development in return for the lifting of sanctions by the United States, the United Nations and other European powers.