Iran: History & Politics
Iran, a country of 80 million people, strategically straddles West and South Asia. Iran dramatically left the U.S. orbit in 1979 when the Shah was overthrown and the Islamic Republic was established. The “loss” of Iran was a major blow to Washington’s policy of dominating the Middle East and controlling its oil. Pretty much, ever since, the countries have been at loggerheads. The nuclear deal of 2015 was a breakthrough. However, there is a new sheriff in town and the rhetoric coming from the White House is belligerent. The President has tweeted, “Iran is playing with fire. They don’t appreciate how ‘kind’ President Obama was to them. Not me!” Calling Iran, “the number one terror state,” he put it on the travel ban list. What’s going on inside Iran is largely unknown. Most media reports omit context and background.
Interview by David Barsamian.
Recorded at the University of Denver.
Speaker
Laura Secor
Laura Secor has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, Foreign Affairs and other publications. She is the author of Children of Paradise: The Struggle for the Soul Iran.
From a listener in PA –
Laura Secor is fully in charge of her subject. She delivers her answers with ease, knowledge and professional confidence.
Bart Bolger –
Insightful questions from David, as very few (if any) US commentators could manage. We really appreciate David’s experience in Iran and the region which helped guide this interview to reap valuable lessons. Thanks! Of course, Ms. Secor was brilliant in her responses, somehow baking a very complex situation down to something understandable without sacrificing important details. I’m looking forward to reading her latest book.