Pulling the tiger (bulldog?) by the tail

Iran’s recent capture of 15 British sailors and marines set off a diplomatic showdown and sparked comparisons to the infamous takeover of the American embassy in Iran. For this week’s Seven Questions, FP asked Mark Bowden, author of a bestselling book about the 1979 crisis, for his take on Iran's actions. Check it out. (Programming ...

Iran’s recent capture of 15 British sailors and marines set off a diplomatic showdown and sparked comparisons to the infamous takeover of the American embassy in Iran. For this week’s Seven Questions, FP asked Mark Bowden, author of a bestselling book about the 1979 crisis, for his take on Iran's actions. Check it out.

Iran’s recent capture of 15 British sailors and marines set off a diplomatic showdown and sparked comparisons to the infamous takeover of the American embassy in Iran. For this week’s Seven Questions, FP asked Mark Bowden, author of a bestselling book about the 1979 crisis, for his take on Iran's actions. Check it out.

(Programming note: this interview was originally conducted before President Ahmadinejad announced that the prisoners would be released, and so we went back to Bowden for an update on the situation.)

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.