A mini reading list to understand what’s happening in Iran.

Today marks the seventh day of the unlawful U.S-Israel war against Iran. Like many a citizen, I’ve been struggling to understand what’s animating this latest burst of imperial violence.

It’s hard to argue with un-reason. And with legal, moral, and practical justifications so thin on the ground from the administration, whiplash has ruled the day. But we readers love a context.

Assuming you could also use a lay of the land to brace and clarify, here’s a link-heavy mini-reading list including some articles, books, and podcasts that can help explain this political moment.

For the close read: Afshin Matin-Asgari’s Axis of Empire: A History of Iran-Us Relations. 

This “accessible history” traces America’s century and a half long obsession with Iran. From the Cold War to the hostage crisis, Matin-Asgari characterizes the countries’ long relationship as a matrix of intrigue and influence.

The always excellent team at Verso have also written an “Against Imperialism” reading list, for the angry generalist. Many books are heavily discounted.

For the blow-by-blow: “Trump’s War Against Iran.”

Okay—technically, this one’s a listen. Know Your Enemy is a podcast that explores the conservative movement from a leftie perspective. This morning, hosts Matthew Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell published an incisive conversation with Matt Duss, a leading foreign policy expert.

Duss, who served as an advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders from 2017-2022, gives a bird’s eye view of recent U.S. policy in Iran. Special emphasis is given to the presidents—from Carter to current—who shaped Iranian politics.

If you’d rather read than listen, check out this bibliography.

For those with legal questions: Matt Ford’s “How Congress Set the Stage for Trump’s Illegal War in Iran.”

Matt Ford’s piece in this morning’s New Republic helps explain why Congress has failed to restrict the president’s power (at least, so far).

In a nuanced argument, Ford also frames America’s modern habit of keeping “large, perpetual standing armies” as contra to the wishes of the Founders. This is a good article for those of us wondering why the War Powers Resolution has failed to activate.

For historical context: “Thawra.”

Thawra is a mini-series about Arab politics in the 20th century. Hosted by Daniel Denvir (also of The Dig) and historian Abdel Razzaq Takritti, the sixteen episodes in this project take an eye to the long view.

Beginning with European imperialism in the late 18th century and technically concluding with Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon, this series is a great survey for those looking to understand Iran in regional context.

For moral clarity: Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi’s “The dry and the wet burn together.”

This piece in the London Review of Books is a clear-eyed analysis and caution addressed to the aggravators and the Iranian diaspora. Sadeghi-Boroujerdi is a scholar of international politics who has studied ideological change in the Islamic Republic.

These words are good companions: “Wars of choice rarely confine themselves to their intended targets. They consume not only the combatants but the assumptions that animate them.”

Image via