A clash of civilizations or ideologies?

Abstract The discourse of the US and Iran presidents’ speeches at the UN General Assembly are analyzed by combining the micro-, meso- and macro- levels of critical analysis. The analysis sheds light on how social actors are represented and constructed in the discourses, how ideologies are shaped in the discourses, and how civilizations are embedded in the discourses. The analyzed data reveal that “other” social actors are highly constructed in all speeches. Ethno-religious and political culture differences between the US and Iran are emphasized by the specific representation of social actors. Ideologies and civilizations are the main source of contrast and antagonism between the US and Iran. Although Huntington’s theory of “The clash of civilizations” aims to explain global dynamics and claims to be universal, empirical data show that while it resonates with certain aspects of the US-Iran relationship, it does not fully capture its complexity and primarily explains recurring global patterns.