JSPES, Vol. 32, No. 2 (Summer 2007)
pp. 163-179

Terrorism in the Middle East

Gawdat Bahgat

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Since the mid-2000s, hostility between Iran and the United States has intensified, and some see the two nations heading toward a military confrontation. Iran's nuclear program and association with terrorist organizations are the main drive for this rising tension. This study focuses on the latter. Specifically, it examines Tehran's ties to Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Iraqi insurgents. Nevertheless, the author concludes that although American and Iranian interests are very different, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.