From PUP, the introduction to The Pursuit of Pleasure: Drugs and Stimulants in Iranian History, 1500-1900 by Rudi Matthee. From Middle East Report, a special issue on the Islamic Revolution at 30. From ISR, a special section on Iran: Rebellion and Reaction. From NYRB, Roger Cohen on Iran: The tragedy & the future. A review of books on Iran (and more). Should Iran bury or resurrect the Islamic Republic? A review of Guardians of the Revolution: Iran and the World in the Age of the Ayatollahs by Ray Takeyh. Ahmadinejad II: What will the Iranian president's second term look like? Internal combustion: The Iranian regime's biggest threat may come from the inside. The post-election political contest over the future of Iran is reaching a pivotal stage. While protestors take to the streets in Tehran for democracy, another group of Iranians meets in Cairo for the return of monarchy. The making of an Iran policy: Roger Cohen goes inside the Obama administration’s struggle with its biggest diplomatic challenge. Engaging with Iran is like having sex with someone who hates you: Tehran's latest bid to run down the clock. From TNR, why is Obama repeating Bush's Iraq mistakes in Afghanistan? Michael Crowley wants to know. From NYRB, a review of books on the Afghanistan impasse. The war we can’t win: Andrew Bacevich on Afghanistan and the limits of American power. Could Afghanistan become Obama’s Vietnam — or can we bribe our way to victory? Immanuel Wallerstein on U.S. internal politics and its military interventions.
