04352cam a2200445 i 4500 101252997 RAND 20200811100947.0 m d 100622s2010 caua b 000 0 eng d 0833051059 9780833051059 RAND/TR-910-OSD Online only CstmoR CstmoR n-us--- Elson, Sara Beth. author. What do Iranians think? : a survey of attitudes on the United States, the nuclear program, and the economy / Sara Beth Elson, Alireza Nader. 1 online resource (xv, 107 pages). text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier "RANDNational Defense Research Institute." "This research was ... conducted within the International Security and Defense Policy Center of the RAND National Defense Research Institute"--Preface. Includes bibliographical references (p. 107). Introduction -- A Majority of Respondents View the Economy as Average or Better -- A Majority of Respondents Did Not View Sanctions as Having a Negative Effect on the Economy -- Respondents Were Divided on Nuclear Weaponization, with a Significant Portion Supporting Development of Nuclear Weapons -- A Majority of Respondents Expressing an Opinion Opposed the Reestablishment of Ties with the United States, Though a Significant Segment Was Supportive -- Conclusions and Recommendations -- Appendix A: Methodology and Survey Management -- Appendix B: Introductory Script and Oral Consent - English -- Appendix C: Survey Questionnaire - English -- Appendix D: Introductory Script and Oral Consent - Farsi -- Appendix E: Survey Questionnaire - Farsi -- Appendix F: Correlations Between Demographic Variables -- Appendix G: Multinomial Logistic Regression Models -- Appendix H: Detailed Figures. The June 2009 Iranian presidential election and the subsequent popular protests revealed the importance of public opinion in driving change in the Islamic Republic of Iran, a country of strategic importance for the United States. To gauge Iranian attitudes on critical issues affecting U.S. interests, RAND conducted a phone survey of Iranian public opinion, asking questions about U.S.-Iranian relations and related topics, such as sanctions, the state of the Iranian economy, and the Iranian nuclear program. The survey also delved into public opinion on the United States, examining attitudes toward historical and current factors shaping relations between the two countries, U.S. policies toward Iran, and the Obama administration. The survey revealed that respondents were deeply divided on issues that define Iranian politics, including the state of the economy, the nuclear program, and U.S.-Iranian relations. Nevertheless, a majority of those expressing an opinion opposed the reestablishment of U.S.-Iranian ties, and there was also significant support for development of nuclear weapons. In addition, negative attitudes toward the Iranian economy were less prevalent than expected, and many respondents did not consider sanctions to have had a significant negative impact on Iran’s economy. The survey also suggested that Iranians with higher incomes, higher levels of education, and access to multiple sources of information may be more supportive of Iranian policies that are more favorable to U.S. interests. U.S. policies meant to shape Iranian behavior may be more effective if they focus on this particular sector of the Iranian population. Also available on the internet via WWW in PDF format. Description based on online resource. Economics. Nuclear weapons Iran Public opinion. Iran Foreign relations United States. United States Foreign public opinion. United States Foreign relations Iran. Nader, Alireza. author. National Defense Research Institute (U.S.) International Security and Defense Policy Center. Rand Corporation. United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense. Online Access http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR910.html 600357 600357