Osama bin Laden joins the fight against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan with Wikileaks revealing his connection to the U.S. was almost non-existent. The U.S. tries to rescue its hostages in Iran.
How much was it true that President R. Reagan was involved in holding those American hostages in Iran? Rogan conspired with the Iranians to win the elections?
It's a good question, and for the purpose of this series, we focused more on Soviet and Russian history. Through that lens, the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979-80 is a very small part of the story. However, it impacted foreign policy around the world, including the Soviet Union and Iraq, which ultimately led to the creation of Al Qaeda. It isn't "the" event, but another string pulled.
Journalist hat off, personal hat on. There is a mountain of evidence that intermediaries within Reagan's campaign were having a dialog with Tehran, requesting the hostages not be released until after the November 1980 elections. This could be a violation of the Logan Act, but it depends on who exactly was making contact.
What the historical record shows is that President Jimmy Carter continued negotiations with Iran and brokered the hostage release that was completed in January 1981. By that time, Tehran had more pressing issues and was likely seeking a path to improve relations with the incoming Reagan administration. The next few installments will explain why.
Here is a good read about what the Reagan campaign almost certainly did during the Iranian Hostage Crisis.
Off topic: Since Feb 2025, I am writing Amendments* to the US constitution, and looking for a forum where those amendment Americans can negotiate, but can't find any. I guess it's because very few believe that reforms are possible.
What's your opinion? I think this is the time when America should either be redesigned or at least massively updated. How realistic? Should people still push it through? I believe it should a series of nationwide referenda.
*The more I write (at least 11 Amendments now), the more I feel is should be a new US constitution. Although my proposals are really modest.
How much was it true that President R. Reagan was involved in holding those American hostages in Iran? Rogan conspired with the Iranians to win the elections?
It's a good question, and for the purpose of this series, we focused more on Soviet and Russian history. Through that lens, the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979-80 is a very small part of the story. However, it impacted foreign policy around the world, including the Soviet Union and Iraq, which ultimately led to the creation of Al Qaeda. It isn't "the" event, but another string pulled.
Journalist hat off, personal hat on. There is a mountain of evidence that intermediaries within Reagan's campaign were having a dialog with Tehran, requesting the hostages not be released until after the November 1980 elections. This could be a violation of the Logan Act, but it depends on who exactly was making contact.
What the historical record shows is that President Jimmy Carter continued negotiations with Iran and brokered the hostage release that was completed in January 1981. By that time, Tehran had more pressing issues and was likely seeking a path to improve relations with the incoming Reagan administration. The next few installments will explain why.
Here is a good read about what the Reagan campaign almost certainly did during the Iranian Hostage Crisis.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/expert-analyzes-new-account-of-gop-deal-that-used-iran-hostage-crisis-for-gain
Thanks/
Off topic: Since Feb 2025, I am writing Amendments* to the US constitution, and looking for a forum where those amendment Americans can negotiate, but can't find any. I guess it's because very few believe that reforms are possible.
What's your opinion? I think this is the time when America should either be redesigned or at least massively updated. How realistic? Should people still push it through? I believe it should a series of nationwide referenda.
*The more I write (at least 11 Amendments now), the more I feel is should be a new US constitution. Although my proposals are really modest.