9781628920079

1628920076

9781628927603

9781628928709

Introduction : Filling the gap ; Points of contention ; The conflict as seen from Tehran ; Elements obstructing the formations of meaningful dialogue and easing tensions ; Structure of the book

1. Iran-US relations: from friends to foes : Cordial relations: 1856-1953 ; Twenty-five years of US domination: 1953-79 ; Era of animosity: 1979 to today ; Misreading Iran: a chronic problem in US politics

2. Hostage crisis: denouement of mistrust, misperceptions, and misanalysis : The episode ; The role of mistrust, misperception, and misanalysis in the Iran-US conflict ; Emergence of the "enemy narrative" ; The hostage saga concludes

3. The decade of war and consolidation of the revolution 1980-9 : Joining the revolution ; Iraq attacks Iran ; Mutual hostility and suspicion befalls Iran and its Arab neighbors ; Iran-Contra scandal ; The US begins an undeclared war against Iran ; Unhealed wounds ; Chalice of poison

4. A pragmatist assumes the presidency 1989-97 : The rise of Ayatollah Khamenei ; Beginning of a new era ; Broken promises and the failure of Rafsanjani ; Two men, two views ; Disappointment continues ; The process of foreign policy decision-making ; Launching dialogue with the West ; Mediation at the highest level ; Mykonos and beyond

5. The rise of the reform movement in Iran 1997-2005 : The Europeans come back ; Khatami proposes dialogue ; Clinton seeks reconciliation but confuses ; Iran prepares to attack Afghanistan ; Albright makes "the boldest attempt" ; Why Ayatollah Khamenei says "no" to talks and relations with the United States ; 9/11 and a short-lived honeymoon ; The suspicious Karine A affair and the axis of evil ; A most perturbing revelation ; Iran adamant about pursuing the nuclear project ; Is there any substance to American suspicions? ; American and Israeli opposition to Iran's nuclear program ; Why did Ayatollah Khamenei accept suspension? ; Iraq 2003 and the US miscalculation ; Iran's proposal: "too good to be true?" ; I was right and John Sawers was not

6. Sixteen years of moderation come to an end 2005-12 : Emergence of the principlists ; Hardliners' arguments against the moderates ; Iran goes on the offensive ; Where did Ahmadinejad stand? ; George W. Bush vs. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ; The espionage dossier ; The biggest domestic crisis since the revolution ; Misanalysis abounds in Tehran and Washington

7. Two views on major disputes : Terrorism ; The secret mission to Jeddah and the Khobar bombing ; The mother of all disputes: the Iran-Israel conflict and the Middle East peace process ; Let's talk about human rights

8. Road map to peace : Anatomy of the Iran-US conflict ; Why is peace between Iran and the US necessary? ; Peace between Iran and the US is the rational choice ; Factors to be carefully considered ; Creating the road map ; Energizing negotiations with mediation ; Reducing conflict via proactive phased measures ; Beginning cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

United States > Foreign relations > Iran.

Iran > Foreign relations > United States.

Iran > Politics and government > 1979-1997.

Iran > Politics and government > 1997-