A book I highly recommend to people thinking about the future of the Middle East. Iran is a major player, clearly desires to become an even larger factor in the region, and its influence is only growing following the weakening of Iraq. Baer's work with the CIA gave him important insights into the Middle East, and he takes care to provide an understanding of Iran and its policies. Our Country's most recent policy has been to isolate Iran and not to participate in discussions between the two countries. The President-elect had stated during the 2008 Campaign that he's interested in opening a dialog with Iran, and this book point out why that approach appears to be a valid one. ( )

An essential book about Iran and the Middle East written by someone who understands the history, culture and outlook of that region from first hand experience. Robert Baer's other books, See No Evil and Sleeping With the Devil are both first rate, but this one tops this others, especially because its focus is on contemporary issues that bear directly on the United States and Iran. It should be at the top
of Barack Obama's and Hillary Clinton's reading lists (assuming, of course, that they have reading lists!). ( )

has a glossary ( )

This book was perfect for understanding where Iran is today since its revolution in 1979. Robert Baer focused primarily on Iran’s foreign policy strategy throughout the Middle East. He argues that Iran, far from being a regime run by apocalyptic religious fundamentalists out to nuke Israel, is a shrewd and calculating political player in the region. Its ultimate goal; to make the US accept Iran as an equal power and replace America as the dominating force in the Middle East. I was astonished reading about how far Iran’s reach goes and how much weight it carries in places like Iraq and Lebanon. Baer also notes how Iran’s proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah, has won the hearts and minds of Shias and Sunnis alike throughout the Muslim world. This book should serve as a wake up call that Iran is winning in the Middle East and the US should either find a way towards peace or start gearing up for a hundred year war in the region.

Highlights:
- Iran wants nuclear capability but would never create a nuclear weapon , doing so would jeopardize all the progress that it has made.

- Iran plans on controlling all the oil fields in the Persian Gulf. With large Shia populations in many Gulf states this is making Arab countries more willing to acquiesce to Iran’s demands.

- Baer believes that our best option with Iran is diplomacy and that in the long run a US-Iran alliance will be successful in terms of stability in Iraq, better hopes of a peace deal between Israel and Palestine, and more cooperation in containing the Taliban in Afghanistan. ( )

Terrifying and educational read. I hope the new administration reads this book! ( )