Includes bibliographical references (pages 221-241) and index.
Contents:
Iran Before the 1979 Revolution -- The Islamic Revolution Shocks the World -- The Struggle for Human Rights in Iran -- "Social Deviants": Gays, Prostitutes, Drugs, and Alcohol -- Religious Freedom, for Some -- The Paradoxical Status of Iranian Women -- The Iranian Economy After Decades of Sanctions -- Iran's Relations with the US and the West -- Iran in the Middle East and Beyond -- The Way Forward.
Summary:
In 1979, the Iranian Revolution brought a full-scale theocracy to the 80 million inhabitants of the Middle East's second largest country, with. The rule of the ayatollahs opened the door to Islamic fundamentalism. In the decades since, bitter relations have persisted between the U.S. and Iran. Yet how is it that Iran has become the primary target of American antagonism over nations like Saudi Arabia, whose appalling human rights violations fail to depose it as one of America's closest allies in the Middle East? In the first general-audience book on the subject, Medea Benjamin elucidates the mystery behind this complex relationship, recounting the country's history from the pre-colonial period to its emergence as the one nation Democrats and Republicans alike can unite in denouncing. Benjamin has traveled several times to Iran, and uses her firsthand experiences with politicians, activists, and everyday citizens to provide a deeper understanding of the complexities of Iranian society. Tackling common misconceptions about Iran's system of government, its religiosity, and its citizens' way of life, Benjamin makes short work of the inflammatory rhetoric surrounding U.S.-Iranian relations, and presents a realistic and hopeful case for the two nations' future.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.