Sympathiser dismisses myths of the old country (6)

I believe the answer is:

persia

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'old country' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for persia that I've seen before include "Former name of Iran" , "Old land" , "It's now known as Iran" , "Aspire to this old country" , "Old Iran" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).

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