Some recent interesting articles about Iran

Dissent magazine asked a group of respected center-left experts on the Mid East thisset of questions about Iran:

For a quarter of a century, Iran has been ruled by a militant theocracy.
After the shah's regime--authoritarian, brutal, and backed by the United
States--was overthrown, the new regime quickly proved itself to be
authoritarian, cruel, and self-warranted by Islamic fundamentalism. Reform
efforts have proved chimerical, and Tehran has pursued nuclear capabilities with
vigor, long deceiving the International Atomic Energy Agency and Western
interlocutors about its efforts. To what extent should the character of the
Iranian regime govern Western responses to its ambitions? Should Iran be
considered just one state among others, seeking its legitimate self-interests?
What "threat" does the current Iranian regime pose in today's world? Responses
appear below.

You can read the articles here: http://www.dissentmagazine.org/issue/?issue=62

Dissent also has an address by former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer: http://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/?article=726


Here's a review of a book I haven't read, but hope to soon: Ray Takeyh, Hidden Iran: Paradox and Power in the Islamic Republic -- http://www.nationalinterest.org/Article.aspx?id=13292