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Copyright of Ethnologie Française is the property of Presses Universitaires de France and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Iran is located in a unique geographical position, acting as a bridge among Africa, Europe and Asia, connecting India and Russia in the north–south corridor; connecting Asia and Europe in the East–West corridor; connecting Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkey and Western Europe in the TRACECA Corridor; connecting Southeast Asia to northwestern Europe in the South Asian Corridor; the link among ECO members as well as Central Asian countries to the high seas and the Persian Gulf is formalized in the Ashgabat agreement. In fact, Iran has been identified as one of the most central geographical nodal points in the world, playing a combination of geopolitical, geo-economic and geo-transit roles in Southwest Asia. The main focal point of the present article is the systematic study of Iran's role in international corridors. This is done from a geopolitical perspective and since research in this area is relatively recent we are submitting this analysis as a starting point for a wider discussion about Iran's role in the new world order which is central to recent studies of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cet article examine le moda de fonctionnement de l'Etat théocratique safavide iranien à partir du 16ème siècle et les manifestations de la vie culturelle en son sein. Car pour comprendre l'Iran contemporain et la genèse de l'Etat iranien moderne, il importe autant de s'informer au sujet des formes du pouvoir safavide, fanatique et dogmatique, que du chiisme. La brutalité culturelle et l'intolérance religieuse d'hier sont de tragiques inclinations toujours présentes dans Iran d'aujourd'hui. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article seeks to illustrate that the depth and extensive capabilities of the Iranian soft power is likely to prevent U.S.'s goal to undermine Tehran's influence in the region significantly. It mentions that the Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War, and the overwhelming U.S. presence in the region have convinced the Iranian leadership that the Islamic Republic cannot succeed through direct confrontation against its regional adversaries.

The greatest challenge for the West in dealing with Iran stems not so much from its behaviour in the Middle East, or even its nuclear programme, as from uncertainty about its ultimate strategic goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the political and epistemological positions of Ayatullah Muhammed Misbah Yazdi, the source of emulation of Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad. It suggests that Misbah's arguments were not incoherent, irrational or atavistic response to the condition of modern thought and cites the contrast between Misbah's conclusions and/or prescriptions and the Western visions of a good polity. The shared questions and concerns about modernity that link Misbah with Western critics of modernity are also cited.

The article explores the relationship regarding the pilgrimage, devotional practices, and consumption of religious commodities of transnational Shiism in Iran and Syria. One important element in the production of mass pilgrimage is the establishment of the correct identification of each holy site despite some contradiction. According to the author, the emergence of religious commodities is a fundamental element in the religious efficacy of pilgrimage as a mechanism of religious discipline.

Copyright of Social Compass is the property of Sage Publications, Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)