Confronting Iran: The Failure of American Foreign Policy and the Next Great Crisis in the Middle East

This slightly convoluted book provides tremendous background to help advanced readers understand the complex motives and machinations that shape U.S.-Iranian relations. Unfortunately, professor Ali Ansari has a definite point of view that affects his presentation about Iran's stated nuclear threats and terrorist financing, even as he chides the "trigger-happy Americans" in Iraq. He may be right that the U.S. missed several opportunities to reduce tensions with Iran, but he admits that Iran's overtures were oblique and unpopular. His baroque interpretations of Iran's motives and the relationships among its factions is dizzying, and open to question - ultimately adding to Iran's mystery. Despite its biases, we consider this important for those seeking a comprehensive overview of Iran and its complex U.S. relations. The book goes well beyond any discussion available in the mass media.

If there's one thing Iran is good at it's keeping itself in the spotlight. Iran, or Persia as it used to be known, is one of the world's oldest continuous major civilizations but like a fading movie star she seems intent on not being forgotten. The truth is that Iran's descent began a long time ago and its leaders have never accepted their place as a second rate world power. The country's quest to become a nuclear power is likely a desperate attempt to achieve the respect it cannot gain militarily or economically. Meanwhile, the West's track record of meddling has created a vast rift with the already sensitive Iranians. American's vividly remember the 1979 hostage crisis that ended the presidency or Jimmy Carter and the Iran/Contra scandal that nearly brought down the Reagan White House but few are aware of the CIA's overthrow of Iran's popular secularist leader, Dr. Mohammed Mosaddeq, in 1953. The author writes, "...the [Iranian] media (of all political hues) religiously observes the anniversary of the coup as a day of perfidy that ranks with Pearl Harbor" Americans also conveniently forget that we supplied Saddam Hussein with many of the weapons he used during his long and bloody war with Iran, a war Saddam had started. What I enjoyed most about this book is the author's ability to look at the situation from both sides. The West has made mistakes, Iran has made mistakes and the best course of action could be to strive for dialogue and mutual understanding. Most American's may not realize that Iran had a burgeoning reformist movement and the foundations of a democracy in place. The reformist leader, Mohammed Khatami, was twice elected in 1997 and 2001, running on a platform of improving the status of women and helping the young generation. Unfortunately George W. Bush's `Axis of Evil' speech crippled the reformist movement and prompted the Guardian Council to ruthlessly vet the 2004 election and in a classic case of self fulfilling prophecy the far right, anti-Semitic Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected. The Iraqi invasion domino plan, hatched by American neo-conservatives, has completely backfired, emboldening Iran and encouraging its leaders to accelerate their nuclear program rather than dismantle it. The Iranians probably learned the same lesson that North Korea learned, that the U.S. doesn't invade nuclear powers. The author writes that Iran always had, "grudging admiration for the rationality and political freedoms that the West represented, bound together by a respect for the law". Bush's complete disregard for international law pretty much killed that. The author writes, "Iranians joke, they are blessed with all the facilities to be the industrial engine of the region, except good governance." Much of the blame for Iran's current state falls squarely on their own shoulders. When Iran tried to open up business relations with Europe the Europeans found that the Iranians were more interested in receiving foreign investments than actually inve

This book is a great read if your new to the world of international politics or an expert in the field. Ansari writes with clarity and a lack of bias suprising considering his personal connection with the topic. There is an abundance of examples which clearly show the mistakes and incompetence of U.S. foreign policy makers in the recent decade. I have had Dr. Ansari for a professor and tutor and this book is a perfect replication of the clear and concise nature he uses in the lecture hall.

I have read Shuster's Book "The Strangling of Persia"; Kermit Roosevelt's book "Countercoup, Struggle for Control of Iran" and Ambassador Sullivan's book "My Mission to Iran".. if I had waited for this book, I would have saved a lot of time.. Dr. Ansari captures the entire period in a lucid, easy-read and objective manner. A must read for anyone interested in the Middle East and the turmoil created by the recent administrations.

This is a fast reading, informative, and mind opening book on the history of US - Iran relations as well as an analysis of the relationship and its consequenses for today. It is unbiased and gives a great apeal to policy makers on both sides of the equation to reconcile their differences, move away from domestic rhetoric, and reestablish the best possible peaceful equilibrium with each other.