US Foreign Policy and the Iran Hostage Crisis
Description
In the wake of the 1979 seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, American leaders faced a rapidly unfolding crisis shaped by uncertainty, misjudgment, and competing interpretations of what “should” happen next. This book investigates why early expectations of a quick resolution gave way to a high-stakes rescue attempt—and why that mission failed—by tracing the decision-making logic behind each major turn. Using an analogical reasoning approach, it shows how historical comparisons and prior experiences influenced policy choices, often with costly consequences. Drawing on interviews with key figures on both sides, the analysis illuminates enduring themes of perception, institutional learning, and the long shadow of crisis on U.S.-Iran relations. For students and scholars of foreign policy and international relations, it offers a rigorous, decision-focused account of one of America’s most consequential diplomatic disasters.
Available Editions
paperback
Cambridge University Press
Published Jan 1, 2001
252 pages
ISBN: 9780521805094
Reviews
No ratings yet. Be the first!
No written reviews yet.
Details
First Published
2001
Language
eng
Content Warnings
Content and trigger warnings for US Foreign Policy and the Iran Hostage Crisis by David Patrick Houghton.