"The Bush administration spent years threatening Iran - for its alleged nuclear ambitions, support for terrorism, and ambitions in the Middle East - and war has often seemed only a step away. How did relations between the US and Iran come to be in this state? Are these dire claims even true? Is Iran in fact a serious threat? This primer provides an essential history and analysis of US - Iranian relations. Bennis's illuminating discussion responds to calls for aggression toward Iran with alternative strategies for defusing the crisis. This book is invaluable for anyone trying to prevent a new war in the Middle East."--BOOK JACKET.