by Trita Parsi
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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 unsavory political maneuverings 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 United States 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.
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 An absolute must-read, 2008-10-06
Riveting. Trita Parsi peels away the conventional wisdom about the little understood Iran-Israel rivalry that's come to define the modern Middle East. Exhaustively researched, and relying on hundreds of interviews, Parsi shows that the Iran-Israel rivalry, rather than being an ideological one, is purely a solvable strategic conflict between two sides seeking their national interests as they perceive it.
The book demonstrates how Israel sought an alliance with Iran in the 1980s when it was in Israels interests, and why it turned Iran into public enemy #1 in the 1990s. Iran for its part wanted a partnership with the United States and made repeated efforts toward this in the 1990s, all of which were thwarted by Israel.
Parsi makes the point that Israel has failed to pick up on Iranian signals in recent years. The Iranians have been trying to demonstrate to Israel that if the Israelis allow a US-Iran rapprochement, it will not come at the expense of Israel and would in fact be to the benefit of Israel. Just as important, the book demonstrates that the road to Jerusalem leads through Tehran, rather than the other way around.
Much of the conflicts and tensions in the region are tangled up into this easily solvable conflict between the US and Iran, and with a tap from the United States much of our problems in the Middle East can be solved.
As mentioned earlier, this book deserves a Pulitzer Prize.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent, objective, and very timely book, 2008-08-29
I'm sure some will criticize and dismiss this book, mainly because it does a very fair and objective job of laying out both the positive and negative outcomes of American, Iranian and Israeli actions and decisions.
If you are either in the camp that believes the US and Israel are doing God's work in fighting those evil Muslim terrorists and can therefore do no wrong, you won't like this book. Conversely, if you think Israel is the root of all evil, you won't like this book either.
This book is DEFINITELY a must read if you have an open mind and want to better understand the dynamics of the struggle for dominance in the Middle East.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
One of the best books available on modern Middle Eastern politics, 2008-07-28
In what is possibly the most heavily researched and referenced book I've ever read, Trita Parsi has written the diplomatic history of the volatile triangle formed by Israel, Iran, and the U.S. Parsi interviewed a large number of officials from all three countries and in doing so, provides a remarkably detailed account of how these countries worked with and against each other at times from the beginnings of the Cold War, all the way to present day.
At a time when the Middle East seems so volatile, reading Parsi's account shows just how close stability and security actually are. The main theme of the book would have to be that despite what most people would assume from casually observing events, ideology has very little to do with the Israeli-Iranian dispute. Strategic and geopolitical forces are what drive both countries and that as events change, Tel Aviv and Tehran constantly reassess their position via the other. Parsi describes how even immediately after the Iranian revolution, high levels of cooperation between the two countries persisted. Also apparent from Parsi's research is that there is a remarkable amount of consistency in Iran's foreign policy, regardless of the regime. Iran wants to play an important role in the region and is willing to cooperate, but when it's excluded by the U.S. and Israel, it lashes out. The best example of this is Iran's willingness to help the U.S. after 9/11 in Afghanistan, and also its offer in 2003 of a grand compromise with the U.S.
I've read quite a few books on the Middle East over the past several years, many of them phenomenal, but I think I have to place Parsi's book at the top of my list. It is easily the most informed, intelligent, and well-written books about the Middle East I've ever read. I'd be surprised if another book comes along to knock Treacherous Alliance out of the top spot. I always buy books faster than I read them, and I always enjoy looking through my shelves to pick out the book I'll read next, but I would actually take the time to read this book again though, and there are very few books in that category. I make it a point to get through as many books as possible, but this one's worth a second read. I can only hope that Parsi writes more books in the future and that they are widely read. Considering the controversial nature of the subject matter, Parsi remains incredibly detached throughout. At no point does this book come across as polemical, or having an axe to grind, which is also very refreshing.
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Amazing!, 2008-07-17
This book is essential reading for anyone and everyone. Trita Parsi has done an amazing job of researching and tying together the relationship between Iran, Israel, and the United States. You may think you understand the situation or know the background behind the relationships of these countries...but until you read this book, you don't.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Trita Parsi does everyone a great service, 2008-05-30
Trita Parsi really does do everyone a great service by writing this important book that is very fair, balanced, objective, greatly researched, award-winning, insightful, and highly informative. I wish all the people who talk about Iran and its policies would read this book. It is well written and organized, so if you do not have a lot of time, you can look through the sections you are most concerned with. It must have taken a lot of courage to write about this very controversial and highly sensitive matter. Parsi once again steps up to the plate. Through dialogue and understanding, and examination, through books like this which provide a platform, we can shed light on issues which we cannot dogmatically assert a position on. Trita Parsi's research and painstaking notes, citing of sources, and intellectual integrity that results from that is really inspiring and fresh. This is a must read for people who are concerned, inquisitive, or for anyone who thinks they know what is going on in mid east politics. Things are not as they appear, and Parsi's examination of a position that is taken for granted as true, ie Iran and Israel cannot have a relationship as long as the Islamic Republic is in power, is really torn at the seams by this in-depth analysis. Iran and Israel, for numerous reasons CAN have a working and harmonious relationship. They have in the past, and they can again. People who say differently want war, and to provoke flames for their personal gains and agendas. The key to deciding whether or not a good relationship is possible lies not in 10 second clips of ahmadinejad, but in award-winning highly acclaimed books like this, that provide historical accounts from policy makers, and those involved in the actual shaping of foreign policy events in Iran, Israel, and the US. Buy this book. Then talk like you know what you are saying. And for those who say this book is anti-israel--what a joke! Why would a book that details past alliances, and that suggests there is room for progressive relations, and that details the reasons for such a claim be anti-israel, in fact, it is pro-israel! It could actually assist Israel in forming a policy that more accurately reflects the realities of its relationship, rather than listening to a few very loud and very skewed voices on what Iran's intent it. Iran is Israel's enemy? ok, if you think so, then Israel should get to know its enemy. The same goes for Iran. Just read the book. It fills many gaps in the debate, chances are, unless you were involved in the alliances highlighted in the book, you cannot be informed on the subject without reading it.
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