Francisco José B. S. Leandro – författare

This book assesses Iran’s role in contemporary geopolitics. In particular, it examines three main intertwining circles: Iran’s development and political challenges, its relationships with neighbouring countries, as well as its relations with the major global powers — China, the European Union, Russia, and the United States.

With contributions from over 20 authors, the book spans such critical aspects of contemporary geopolitics as modern history, natural resources, the economy, the social-political context, and strategic thinking. Particular focus is placed on Iran’s relations with its neighbours - Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Pakistan, and the Persian Gulf States. Furthermore, the book offers both a bilateral and multilateral dimension on how nuclear sanctions imposed on Iran have impacted its strategic planning, from the economic and military perspectives.

This handbook offers readers various perspectives on globalization and multilateralism with Chinese characteristics. Its originality is derived from the hybrid approaches the handbook takes, where chapters provide complementary, intertwined, and multi-level analysis on the topic. Based on contributions of scholars and practitioners from a number of countries, the handbook helps readers to comprehend ongoing debates on the Belt and Road Initiative and global governance, within a shifting balance of world power, characterized by competing views between Western and Chinese norms, standards, values, and narratives.

Split into three Parts, and consisting of 46 chapters, the handbook views globalization as comprehensive concept that benefits from the contributions of various disciplines such as geography, geo-economics, political science and international relations. In producing one of the most ambitious and updated outputs on the topic, the handbook as a whole seeks to discusswhat globalization with Chinese characteristics looks like, and the role of the Belt and Road Initiative in this process.

This handbook comprehensively covers topics in international relations, with a specific focus on China-Europe-Africa relations. This triangular relationship brings substantial contribution for the formation of an emergent new international order. With China being the second largest economy, and a growing power in military, technology, trade and cultural relations, the book provides decisive research on the key aspects that ground the country''s external relations with Europe and Africa.

The first three parts of the book covers issues related to strategy, economy, and security, with specific case studies. In addition, the fourth part, not only focuses on China-Europe-Africa, but also extends to chapters on multilateralism and relations with other countries, regions, and economic communities. In doing so, the book also addresses topics on the Ukraine war, Covid-19, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Gateway, and the balance of major powers.