Hidden Iran: Paradox and Power in the Islamic Republic

Ray Takeyh's "Hidden Iran" is a wonderful book that will help everyone understand the many forces shaping Iran's internal cultural and political situation and world facing relations. In particular, I have better understanding of Iran's nuclear intentions as well as its perspectives on the U.S. and Israel, which gives me hope that over time Iran will takes its place as one of the leading nations on a regional and international stage.

In this book, the author attempts to recommend a new diplomatic, economic and political approach for the United States' dealings with Iran. Before making his recommendations, the author does a fabulous job of reviewing the ideology of the Khomeini era - and the baggage that both Americans and Iranians have dealt with since the Iranian Revolution. He then discusses the conservatives, pragmatists, and reformists that have evolved in Iranian politics since Khomeini's death, telling us of their differing views on how the Iranian government should operate and as well as how Iran should interact with the international community. Next he discusses how Iran interacts differently with various countries in the Middle East depending on their strategic importance and geographical location. Additionally, the author discusses the history of Iranian-US relations and how each side has missed opportunities to better relations because of the animosity built during this history. Finally, the author goes into detail on the three major issues that need to be resolved between the US and Iran - the Iranian nuclear program, Iraq, and Iran's support to terrorists. In the end, I think the author does a great job of bringing all of this information and analysis together to provide excellent recommendations for future US-Iran relations and negotiations. These recommendations need to be understood and debated by all concerned citizens and politicians. Overall - a must read for anyone interested in U.S. Middle Eastern policy.

Takeyh presents a sophisticated picture of how Iran sees the world and how the world sees Iran. There is useful history here, but most interesting here is discussion of Iran's regional ambitions and game plan for getting what it wants.

Thank you Ray Takeyh for writing this informative, insightful book, written in laymen's prose, explaining the history and background that has created the Iran we face today. While not reassuring, Iran becomes not this phasmagorical evil state, but rather a nation state acting out of what it believes to be its own self interest. The final chapter dealing with Iran's entrenched hatred of a Jewish state is the most disturbing and I suspect that is why Takeyh saves it for the end. Yet it is a strange world indeed where the U.S. supplied Iraq with weapons during its decade long war with Iran, and never uttered a peep in protest to Saddam's use of nerve gas on Iraqui soldiers, even to this day, and Iran got a secret supply of weapons from -- and this will shock you -- Israel, which Takeyh infers was with U.S. knowledge and acquiescence. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand this complex and independent country.

Like many Americans, my view of Iran has been frozen at the time of the 1979 Iranian Revolution with its searing images of vitriolic anti-Americanism. Given the emerging situation in the Middle East, an updated perspective of Iran is sorely needed. Ray Takeyh does a splended job giving a very readable overview of Iran's development from the '79 revolution to the present. He is also very even-handed in addressing missed opportunities by both the U.S. and Iran in forging less antagonistic relations. Iran is a very complex country which requires others to use a nuanced approach in dealing with its tangled web of mixed tendencies. With Iranian influence currently in ascent, "Hidden Iran" is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand this country in greater depth beyond just being a member of Bush's "axis of evil."