An anthropological look at the struggle to defend the Iraq-Pakistan border

Here anthropologist William O. Beeman explains the weird rituals of the US-Iran war dance. Towards the end he makes an important point about the political leverage that an Absolute Enemy like Iran/US (in the various cultural contexts) offers. He references the common conspiracy theory that the US GOP will initiate and October Surprise war with Iran to help McCain's (otherwise dismal) chances at the polls. But he also mentions that all candidates stand to gain from the "Iran threat." All of the major candidates (Hillary, Obama, and McCain) have sought to demonstrate their "foreign policy credentials" by demonizing Iran. the threat from an enemy serves to silence dissent, and demobilize the citizenry. Most of all the super-bowl of the clash of civilizations makes sure that our attention remains directed safely away from any analysis of the distribution of class power both within the United States and globally. 

On McCain's effort to defend the Iraq-Pakistan border, watch this.