The Myth of the Great Satan: A New Look at America's Relations with Iran [Hardcover]

This critical review of the history of America’s relations with Iran debunks the myth of the United States as the “Great Satan” as a necessary first step in establishing a new relationship between the two nations.

This critical review of the history of America’s relations with Iran shows how little of the  two countries’ long and complicated relationship is reflected in the foundational axioms of the “Great Satan” myth. The author explains why meaningful and equitable relations can begin only after the two nations have arrived at a common, critical, and accurate reading of the past.

Professional/Scholarly

Understanding the troubled history of U.S.-Iran relations without examining its roots is impossible. The Islamic regime has partially defined itself by its anti-Americanism, making it an integral element of its historical provenance. As propaganda, anti-Americanism has been key to the regime’s attempts to establish itself as the leader of the insurgent Islamic faith. The regime cannot forgo its banner of anti-Americanism or see itself as anything but in a stage of constant siege in a battle against Satanically powerful foes. The founder of the Iranian regime, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, used the Qoranic moniker of the Great Satan to refer to America—as much a show of intimidated awe as of embittered animosity at what he imagined as America’s mythic omnipotence. InThe Myth of the Great Satan, Iran expert Abbas Milani offers a critical review of the history of America’s relations with Iran and shows how little of the two countries’ long and complicated relationship is reflected in the axioms of the “Great Satan” myth.

Milani looks at U.S.-Iranian relations beginning in the early twentieth century, moving to  the revolution of 1979 and onto the Iranian election of June 2009. Detailing thlƒ!