The myth of the great Satan

Description

"Understanding the troubled history of U.S.-Iran relations without examining its roots is impossible. The Islamic regime has partially defined itself by its anti-Americanism, making it an integral element of its historical provenance. As propaganda, anti-Americanism has been key to the regime's attempts to establish itself as the leader of the insurgent Islamic faith. The regime cannot forgo its banner of anti-Americanism or see itself as anything but in a stage of constant siege in a battle against satanically powerful foes. The founder of the Iranian regime, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, used the Qoranic moniker of The Great Satan to refer to America, as much as a show of intimidated awe as of embittered animosity at what he imagined as America's mythic omnipotence.^ In this book, Iran expert Abbas Milani offers a critical review of the history of America's relations with Iran and shows how little of the two countries' long and complicated relationship is reflected in the axioms of The Great Satan myth. Milani looks at U.S.-Iranian relations beginning in the early twentieth century, moving to the revolution of 1979 and on to the Iranian election of June 2009. Detailing the events surrounding that election, he explains why Iran is currently in a state of 'political purgatory'. The regimes continued confrontation with the United States; the accumulating economic woes brought about by its incompetence, corruption, and mismanagement; and the falling price of oil, compounded by the increasingly sharp bite of UN sanctions, have brought about desperate times. And despite the regime's rabid anti-Americanism, all available evidence demonstrates that Iran is the only Muslim country in which the people are favorably disposed toward the United States.^ The regime's leaders and their allies have tried to use every tool of despotism at their disposal, but none has yet worked. Democracy is the inexorable future of Iran. But, as the author explains, meaningful and equitable relations can begin only after the two nations have arrived at a common, critical, and accurate reading of the past."--Jacket.

Subjects

Series Statement

• Hoover Institution Press publication series -- 589