Confronting Iran : July 15th 2006

The Iranian standoff is grabbing headlines every day. Iran is going nuclear, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly proclaimed that Israel should be "wiped off the map." The U.S. and Iran are currently at a total impasse, and some have claimed that the White House is already drawing up war plans. How did we get here?

In his new book CONFRONTING IRAN: The Failure of American Foreign Policy and the Next Great Conflict in the Middle East (on sale July 3, 2006) Dr. Ali Ansari provides a concise yet comprehensive analysis of the brewing crisis, its origins, and its potential consequences. Ansari places current developments within a historical and cultural context. He describes the myths and prejudices which have developed on both sides over the course of centuries and which have shaped policy and public opinion for decades. Dr. Ansari will be talking to DCIC on July 15th.

With unparalleled access to senior officials in Iran, the United States and Europe, Dr. Ansari offers a radical new interpretation of US-Iran relations, a disturbing history of failed diplomacy, missed opportunities, and bureaucratic wrangling. With all parties responsible for the ongoing failure and building crisis, it is important to know that this relationship was originally positive in nature, both culturally and politically, which could hold the key to correcting past mistakes and the current political practices of both sides.

In his book, Dr. Ansari demonstrates that ongoing prejudice has bred mutual suspicion and conflicting narratives about key events including the overthrow of Dr. Mohammad Mosaddeq in 1953, the Islamic Revolution and the Hostage Crisis, the Iran-Iraq War, the Iran-Contra Scandal and the shooting down of the Iran Air airbus by the USS Vincennes. It will come as a surprise to most Americans that in the past this "Axis of Evil" nation admired America and held it up as the model of 'religious democracy.'

America currently has neither diplomatic ties nor a coherent policy for dealing with Iran. And there is also no international consensus. Ansari's writing deftly highlights the trilateral convergence of the U.S., Europe, and Iran which helps explain how Iran policy frequently falls victim to rivalry between Western allies, leading to our current state of muddled thinking, and even more muddled policy.

Join us on Saturday July 15th for this timely and enlightening discussion as Dr. Ansari helps to distinguish myth from reality in US-Iran relations. Doors will open around 7pm. If you plan to attend, please reply to the Evite or buy your tickets in advance from this page. Those who want to get free admission by contributing to the potluck dinner must reply to the Evite stating what type of dish they will bring, and must arrive no later than 7.30pm. Members who want to receive free admission in return for working one of the volunteer shifts must also reply to the Evite, and must arrange the volunteer shift in advance by emailing Tony at tony@dcinternational.org or calling 703-475-8328.

The Author and Speaker:

Fluent in Persian, Dr. Ali Ansari is a highly regarded specialist in the field of Iranian history and politics with a doctorate from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. He has written for periodicals including the Financial Times and the Independent (London) and has been a commentator on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, Fox News, and NPR.

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