A timely primer on the conflict between the United States and Iran by
scholars of Middle Eastern politics who advocate diplomacy and
de-escalation.
The United States and Iran seem to be permanently locked in a dangerous
cycle of brinkmanship and violence. Both countries have staged cyber
attacks and recently shot down one another's aircrafts. Why do both
countries seem intent on escalation? Why did the US abandon the nuclear
deal (which, according to the UN, was working)? Where can Washington and
Tehran find common ground? To address these questions and the political
and historical forces at play, David Barsamian presents the perspectives
of Iran scholars Ervand Abrahamian, Noam Chomsky, Nader Hashemi, Azadeh
Moaveni, and Trita Parsi. A follow-up to the previously published
Targeting Iran, this timely book continues to affirm the goodwill
between Iranian and American people, even as their respective
governments clash on the international stage.
Praise for ReTargeting Iran
"In a Q&A format about the continued demonization of Iran by the U.S.,
[David] Barsamian gets at the key to the deterioration of the
relationship between the two nations.... [T]he discussion is astute
and relevant." (Kirkus Reviews)
"A necessary and timely education on one of the most politically fraught
and historically significant relationships of our time. I devoured these
smart, insightful interviews with five important Iran scholars, about
the struggle between two countries that have both been our home." (Dina
Nayeri, author of The Ungrateful Refugee: What Immigrants Never Tell
You)
"This little book contains more wisdom about Iran than exists in the
White House, Congress, the State Department, and the Pentagon combined.
Anyone who wants to understand the world's most misunderstood country
will find no better source." (Stephen Kinzer, Author of All the Shah's
Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror)
"Many journalists and academics have written books about Iran. But
ReTargeting Iran fills an important gap, a book sharply critical of
U.S. policy and the Iranian government. David Barsamian provides timely
interviews with major analysts that sets the record straight. It's a
highly accessible read and a great introduction to the U.S.-Iran
conflict." (Reese Erlich, author of The Iran Agenda Today: The Real
Story Inside Iran and What's Wrong with U.S. Policy)
"ReTargeting Iran is a facts-only objective account of where America
has gone wrong, stupidly wrong - yet again - in its foreign policy,
dominated by a mythical belief that Iran has an active nuclear weapons
program. All one needs to know about the threat is this: as of mid-2020,
the United States had no less than thirty-five military bases, manned by
65,000 soldiers, ready go to war in the nations immediately surrounding
our feared adversary." (Seymour M. Hersh, author of Reporter: A
Memoir)
