Reinke de Buitrago, Sybille. 2016. The role of emotions in US security policy towards Iran, Global Affairs 2, 2. DOI: 10.1080/23340460.2016.1164975.
The contribution focuses on the role of emotions in US security policy towards Iran. US discourse has long portrayed Iran as evil, aggressive and terror-sponsoring, and as threatening not only US interests but also regional stability and global peace. Since the end of 2013, US discourse towards Iran has noticeably shifted. Iran is no longer portrayed only as a threat to US security and world peace, but also as a possible partner. Yet, there is still strong mistrust towards the Iranian leadership, and elements of the former discourse of threat continue. This contribution enquires into the role of emotions in US discourse on Iran in the field of security, in particular trauma and mistrust. Attention is paid to the constructions of the USA self vis-à-vis the Iranian other, to articulations of threat and processes of othering. In closing, the aspect of emotionalization to legitimize policy and the potential for healing of relations are elaborated.