By highlighting the complex set of factors and their interactions that have shaped Arab-Iranian relations, the book hopes to be a corrective to the simplistic and reductionist interpretations of these relations.

Historical, ethnic, sectarian, and cultural determinants of Arab-Iranian relations -- Modernization, the rise of nation-states, and ethnocentric nationalism in Iran and the Arab world : impact on Arab-Iranian relations -- Intra-Arab politics : impact on Arab-Iranian relations -- The Israel question in Arab-Iranian relations -- The evolving character of the international political system and great-power policies : impact on Arab-Iranian relations -- Iran's relations with Egypt : from hostility to friendship to hostility -- Iran's relations with Iraq : from hostility to friendship to--what? -- Iran's relation with Syria and Lebanon -- Iran's relations with Saudi Arabia : rivals for regional supremacy -- Iran's relations with the Persian Gulf Arab states : uniformities and differences.