This paper focuses on soft power as a means of simultaneous defense and offense (without in-depth discussion of the nature of soft threats) before discussing potential and actual soft power capacities of the Islamic Republic. It also elaborates on possible applications of this immense source of national power to both head off soft threats and impress target societies in an offensive manner.;
In fact, the main hypothesis of this paper is that overemphasis on the concept of “soft threat” will cause the Islamic Republic to ignore its “soft power” resources, especially in cultural and civilizational fields, and unconsciously take a defensive position when formulating and implementing relevant policies.
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