Yvette Hovsepian-Bearce - The Political Ideology of Ayatollah Khamenei: Out of the Mouth of the Supreme Leader of Iran

This book could not have been written without the invaluable support of many fellow scholars and teachers who mentored me over the years and shared their wisdom covering the critical issues of the Middle East. My deepest gratitude first goes to UCLA Political Science Professor Leonard Binder. His passion concerning the importance of the topic and his belief in my researchs potential to improve U.S.Iran diplomatic relations framed this scholarly enterprise from its inception and continues to inspire me. Alongside him, I would like to extend much gratitude to the editors of the series in which my book appears: Dr. Steven Spiegel, Political Science Professor and Director of the Center for Middle East Development at UCLA, and Dr. Elizabeth Matthews, Political Science Professor at California University San Marcos. Their guidance, counsel, and contributions to the development of my thinking have been indispensable. Dr. Matthews read through the entire manuscript and provided me with valuable feedback. Dr. Spiegel played a pivotal role in the birth and development of this book. He has patiently reviewed drafts of several chapters and has spent countless hours with me discussing critical issues that needed special attention. I am deeply grateful to USC Political Science Professor Richard Hrair Dekmejian who reviewed, advised, and guided my work at every step along the way, and I cannot begin to thank him enough for the seemingly endless hours he spent reading the entire manuscript and providing insight-filled commentary and feedback. I also thank his wife, Mrs. Anoush Dekmejian, who provided invaluable support enduring her husbands long absences. Special thank you to UCLA History Professor Michael Morony who greatly assisted me on matters of Islamic law and reviewed the initial draft. I would also like to thank Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl, Chair of Islamic Studies at UCLA. His scholarship on Islamic law motivated me to research a topic that involved the question of the role and interpretations of Islamic law in a political setting. Special thanks go to Professor Dudley Woodberry, Dean Emeritus and Senior Professor of Islamic Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, who introduced me to the field of Islamic studies. For our innumerable discussions about Iran and for our lively engagement with the life-giving properties of ideas, I would like to thank Professors Mohsen Kadivar, Ata Hoodashtian, Hamid Mavani and Nayereh Tohidi, and U.S. Diplomat Ed Kulakowski.