Flynt Leverett and Joe Biden say Flynt Leverett and Flynt Leverett reflect a hubristic version of reality . They also say U.S. foreign policy misunderstands the Islamic Republic 's national security strategy . And that Saudi leadership is trying to push back by portraying Iran as an `` alien '' , Saudi /Persian element in its environment . By contrasting some regimes ' cooperation with the United States and Israel with its own posture of `` resistance '' to American and Israeli ambitions to regional hegemony , Tehran cultivates `` soft power '' across the Middle East . The Obama Administration 's `` calls for more concerted action against the Islamic Republic 's will ultimately backfire ''
Flynt Leverett and Joe Biden say Flynt Leverett and Flynt Leverett reflect a hubristic version of reality . They also say U.S. foreign policy misunderstands the Islamic Republic 's national security strategy . And that Saudi leadership is trying to push back by portraying Iran as an `` alien '' , Saudi /Persian element in its environment . The Obama Administration 's `` calls for more concerted action against the Islamic Republic 's will ultimately backfire ''