In the first Spotlighting an Author, John Ghazvinian presented his new book “America and Iran: A History, 1720 to the Present”. Ghazvinian provided a captivating account of the U.S.-Iran relationship within the last 300 years and discussed the history that is rarely explored, from Christian missionaries in Iran, to the American fascination with Persia in the early 1900s. He further argued that a better understanding of the two countries’ rich history could be the key to a stronger future.
The 1953 coup and the 1979 revolution are frequently referred to as the catalysts for sour relations between the United States and Iran. Yet, the condition of the relationship before these events is rarely mentioned. In this event, John Ghazvinian, the author of “America and Iran: A History, 1720 to the Present”, discussed his new book and chronicles this relationship beginning from the 18th century. Dive into the complex history of the United States and Iran as Ghazvinian sheds light on how this once-friendly relationship turned hostile.
John Ghazvinian is an author, historian, and former journalist specializing in the history of US-Iran relations. He is the Executive Director of the Middle East Center at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
