I.R. Textbook Pages

Unit 5: Iran, Power & Diplomacy Begins

1. Discuss how 1979 transformed not just relations between Iran and USA, but the region itself.  The toxicity of relations, however, created a "smog" that shapes even controls how actors are viewed.  The toxicity of relationships - and events themselves including the subsequent war with Iraq - had negative repercussions for Iranians living in the United States as well.  Think social constructivist lens of international relations. 

2. What basic formative questions do you need to have answered to have a working understanding of Iranian society, history, and the revolution? 

3. Watch the first 13 minutes of the video.  Try to come up with at least 4-6 differing groups represending differing perspectives (e.g., communists, interim government). Who do you need to know more about in order to understand different voices and agendas? 

4. Some of you asked why the hostages were released. While conventional history points to the Algiers Accord, actual text linked, there is a bit of "October surprise conspiracy," which was looked at more seriously at after the Iran-Contra scandal.  It proffered that there was a backchannel by Republicans to Iran during the 1980 election. See, for example: 2017 LA Times Story, written by a President Carter biographer. But, you'd need to look more into it, of course.
 It's a little in the weeds for me. 

Round II

Teams 3 and 4 advanced to the finals tomorrow, congratulations. :)