Targeting Iran (City Lights Open Media) by David Barsamian

Open Media

by David Barsamian

Iran and the United States are on a collision course. David Barsamian presents the perspectives of four experts on Iran who discuss the 1953 CIA coup and the rise of the Islamic regime, Iran's internal dynamics and competing forces, relations with Iraq and Afghanistan, and the consequences of US policy.

Ervand Abrahamian authored Iran Between Two Revolutions.

Noam Chomsky's most recent book is Failed States.

Nahid Mozaffari edited the The PEN Anthology of Contemporary Iranian Literature.

David Barsamian's books include Imperial Ambitions with Noam Chomsky and Original Zinn with Howard Zinn.

Genres: Politics, History, Middle East, Iran, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

David Barsamian is an Armenian-American radio broadcaster, writer, and the founder and director of Alternative Radio, the Boulder, Colorado-based syndicated weekly talk program heard on some 125 radio stations in various countries.[1]

Barsamian started working in radio in 1978 at KGNU in Boulder, Colorado and then KRZA in Alamosa, Colorado.

His interviews and articles also appear regularly in The Progressive, The Nation, and Z Magazine. Barsamian also lectures on U.S. foreign policy, corporate control, the media, and propaganda. He is a member of the Campaign for Peace and Democracy.

As a writer, Barsamian is best known for his series of interviews with Noam Chomsky, which have been published in book form and translated into many languages, selling hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up recently and thought these three essay interviews were particularly enlightening. The book's interviews were conducted in 2006, so there are a fair amount of recent developments to consider, but the book primarily provides much needed cultural and political background on an increasingly volatile relationship--the U.S. and Iran--so is still extremely relevant. I particularly liked the chapter with Nahid Mozaffari, which delves into Iranian literature and film and provides a different angle into cultural differences.

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 3/4 stars

[Brian Dean]

I just saw him speak tonight about this in Oly. I was somewhat disappointed because despite all the good things he said about the horrible things surrounding a possible/imminent Iran attack, he could have been more clear about what he meant by "attack." Regime Change? a smackdown like the '91 gulf war? Nukes? Ramifications-- WWIII? China, Russia, Europe, the world's reaction if we attack? Hopefully he gets into these things in this book

[Nancy Schwarzkopf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copyright 2007 - good background info for the situation we are watching today. David Barsamian examines the issues with three scholars (Ervand Abrahamian, Noam Chomsky, and Nahid Mozaffari) who discuss the political complexities of the Iran-U.S. conflict, including the 1953 CIA coup and the rise of the Islamic regime; Iran's internal dynamics and competing forces; the influence of the Iraqi insurgency; and the possible long-term consequences of U.S. policy.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book more than six years ago, and I should have read it then when it was a bit more relevant. That being said, it's still a good look at how conditions evolved in Iran and the Middle East. Basically, the US was stupid and domineering in 1953, and we haven't really made anything better since. It made me quite disappointed in my country. I did enjoy the opportunity to learn more about Iran from those who have lived there and studied the country and its people.

[Lindsey Wallis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject matter was very interesting but, as in Barsamian's other books I find the interview format of the book to be a little hard to read. You should know something about the subject and what is going on in the region to enjoy this book. As there is so much happening in that part of the world it is already pretty out of date (2008 I think) but it is definitely an interesting snapshotin time.

[David Tykulsker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good set of interviews with Ervand Abrahamian and Nahid Mozaffari, plus Chomsky, that gives a solid picture of many of the internal problems (particularly Mozaffari), and the US's moronic attempt to intimidate the clerical regime.

[Xavier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction highlighting the relationship between Iran and the US. Great for bringing you up to speed if you aren't already.

[Efad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional interviews. The depth of these conversations is hard to find in mainstream discussions.