Area Handbook Series. 5th edition. Edited by Glenn E. Curtis and Eric Hooglund. Offers a concise and objective examination of the dominant historical, geographic, social, economic, political, and military aspects of contemporary Iran. Has 5 chapters on: Historical Setting; The Society and its Environment (covers geography, population, social systems, education, health, and welfare); The Economy (focuses on overview and sectorial analyses); Government and Politics (covers political institutions, political dynamics, and foreign policy); and National Security (covers military institutions and regional and national security problems/issues).