11. April 16-20: The Carter Years, Part II: The Iran Hostage Crisis and the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

M. The Iran Hostage Crisis and the rise of Radical Islam

W. The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Readings:

David Farber, Taken Hostage: The Iran Hostage Crisis and America’s First Encounter With Radical Islam, second half

"U.S. Soviet Relations and the Turn Toward Confrontation, 1977-1980 - New Russian and East German Documents," Cold War International History Project Bulletin, 82pp

Short Paper 5: Due Monday in Class, 3pp. double-spaced.

For this paper I would like you to write a critical review of Farber's book. This short review should do two things: 1. briefly summarize its argument (What claims Farber is making, what evidence he uses to support his claims, what conclusions he draws) 2. offer your thoughts on it (do you find his claims convincing or not? Why or why not?) adn its broader implications. What can Farber's book tell us about our current relations with the Middle East?. 

More Resources:.

Jimmy Carter Address on Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan January 4, 1980

Kakar, M. Hassan Afghanistan: The Soviet Invasion and the Afghan Response, 1979-1982. Berkeley: University of California Press, c1995. (Can access through research port)