Hooman Majd offers a dramatic perspective on a country with global ambitions, an elaborate political culture, and enormous implications for world peace. Drawing on privileged access to the Iranian power elite, Majd argues that despite the violence of the disputed 2009 elections, a group of influential ayatollahs--including a liberal, almost-secular opposition--still believes in the Iranian republic; for them, "green" represents not a revolution but a civil rights movement, pushing the country inexorably toward democracy, albeit a particular brand of "Islamic democracy." Majd, introduces top-level politicians and clerics as well as ordinary people (even Jewish community leaders), all expressing pride for their ancient heritage and fierce independence from the West.--From publisher description.

Includes index.

Everything is true; nothing is permitted -- Prologue -- My name is green -- Democracy, interrupted : it takes a thousand and one villages (and a Mullah or two) -- Oh yeah? Kardeem va shod! -- Where I sat in Babylon -- Guess who's coming to dinner? Iran and America in the age of Obama -- The good, the bad, the unclean -- Nothing is true; everything is forbidden.