The US-Iran Relationship

Since the Revolution of 1978/79, which eventually brought to power Ayatollah Khomeini and his circle of conservative, though politically active, clerics, the relationship between Iran and the USA has represented one of the world's most complex and hostile international entanglements. In this book, Penelope Kinch analyses the extent to which political identity has contributed to challenges in the relationship and the role of myths in foreign policy. Kinch first examines the construction of political identity in each country, and thereby traces the imagined norms which have their impact on international behaviour. Looking at the misperceptions that have precluded closer communication between the two states, Kinch examines both historical issues, such as the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis as well as more contemporary crises, most notably over Iran's nuclear power programme.

Penelope Kinch

Introduction Chapter 1: Political Identity and International Relations Chapter 2: Iranian Political Identity Chapter 3: American Political Identity Chapter 4: Myths and Foreign Policy Challenges Chapter 5: Foreign Policy Challenge: Iran's Nuclear Program Chapter 6: Intersection of Interest and Identity in Regional Issues Chapter 7: Communication and Prospects for Change Conclusion