Iran and the United States: An Insider’s View on the Failed Past and the Road to Peace

Description

Scores of books have been written by Western experts, mainly American, looking at the root causes of the conflict between Iran and the US. However, none of them have presented an inside look at this complex relationship from within the Iranian culture, society, and most importantly, the Iranian policy-making system. This gap has been the cause of misperceptions, misanalyses, and conflict, followed by the adoption of US policies that have failed to achieve their objectives. Seyed Hossein Mousavian worked for over 30 years on diplomatic efforts between Iran and the West, serving in numerous official posts, and as a confidante, colleague, and peer to many former and current high ranking Iranian officials, including now-President Hassan Rouhani and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. Here the former diplomat gives an insider's history of the troubled relationship between Iran and the US. His unique firsthand perspective blends memoir, analysis, and never before seen details of the many near misses in the quest for rapprochement. With so much at stake, the book concludes with a roadmap for peace that both nations so desperately need. FC Half Title Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Foreword Introduction Filling the Gap Points of Contention The Conflict as seen from Tehran Elements Obstructing the Formation of Meaningful Dialogue and Easing Tensions Structure of this Book Chapter 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 Chapter 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 Chapter 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 Chapter 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 Chapter 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 Chapter 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 Chapter 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 Chapter 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 Afterword Notes