Product Description

In this era of superheated rhetoric and vitriolic exchanges between the leaders of Iran and Israel, the threat of nuclear violence looms. But the real roots of the enmity between the two nations mystify Washington policymakers, and no promising pathways to peace have emerged. This book traces the shifting relations among Israel, Iran, and the United States from 1948 to the present, uncovering for the first time the details of secret alliances, treacherous acts, and unsavoury political manoeuvrings that have undermined Middle Eastern stability and disrupted U.S. foreign policy initiatives in the region.Trita Parsi, a U.S. foreign policy expert with more than a decade of experience, is the only writer who has had access to senior American, Iranian, and Israeli decision makers. He dissects the complicated triangular relations of their countries, arguing that America's hope for stability in Iraq and for peace in Israel is futile without a correct understanding of the Israeli-Iranian rivalry.Parsi's behind-the-scenes revelations about Middle East events will surprise even the most knowledgeable readers: Iran's Prime Minister asks Israel to assassinate Khomeini, Israel reaches out to Saddam Hussein after the Gulf War, the U. S. foils Iran's plan to withdraw support from Hamas and Hezbollah, and more. This book not only revises our understanding of the Middle East's recent past, it also spells out a course for the future. In today's belligerent world, few topics, if any, could be more important.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #255831 in Books
• Published on: 2008-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Review
"'This work, based on extensive interviews with decision makers in three countries, contributes both to our historical understanding and our current policy debate.' Francis Fukuyama, author of America at the Crossroads 'This book is outstanding and important.' Nikki Keddie, author of Modern Iran: Roots and Results of Revolution"

Review
"A genuinely surprising, unflaggingly thought-provoking study ... that's pushed its way right to the top of the geopolitical agenda."

About the Author
Trita Parsi is president, National Iranian American Council, and adjunct professor of International Relations at Johns Hopkins University SAIS. He writes frequently about the Middle East and has appeared on BBC World News, PBS News Hour, CNN, and other news programmes.

Customer Reviews

An insight into the Political drive of Iranian Politics
This interesting book provides a well-documented analysis of trilateral relationship between Iran, Israel and the US over the past 30 years or more. The aspirations of the government of Iran to increase their sphere of influence within the Islamic and mainly Arab countries in the Middle East have made them to take anti-Israeli stance. During the earlier years since Islamic revolution, the anti-Israeli slogans were mainly a show by the Iranian government for the Arabs masses in the region, without necessarily transpiring into a plan of action. Indeed, during the earlier years, the two government of Iran and Israel had many dealings behind the scene, to supply arms to Iran during Iran-Iraq war at the aftermath of US embassy crisis in Tehran. The book further stipulates that over the last decade the hostility of Iran and Israel has taken a different turn for the worse, as the Iranian support for Hizbullah has increased and the politicians in Israel have made a dramatic shift on the foreign policy doctorine.

Understanding the Iran-Israel-U.S. triad
This is an exceptional look inside a diplomatic house of mirrors: the ongoing evolution of relationships among Iran, Israel and the U.S., and where their motives, rhetoric, realpolitik and military power converge. Trita Parsi's sophisticated analysis of this complex, high-stakes, long-standing triad presents many surprises, perhaps even to those who think they know the inner workings of the Middle East and U.S. diplomacy. Parsi offers an advanced understanding of complicated modern diplomacy and insights about the future. His real expertise emerges in both history and analysis, though it is hard to know if his role as president of the National Iranian American Council may be a factor in his opinions. getAbstract advocates his book to anyone who wants to comprehend the doctrines and strategies behind Iran's relations with the U.S. and Israel.