Conversations With Terrorists: Middle East Leaders on Politics, Violence, and Empire [Paperback]

Reese Erlich (Author), Robert Baer (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2010

Drawing on original research and firsthand interviews, Conversations with Terrorists offers critical portraits of six Middle Eastern leaders often labeled as terrorists: Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad, Hamas top leader Khaled Meshal, Israeli politician Geula Cohen, Iranian Revolutionary Guard founder Mohsen Sazargara, Hezbollah spiritual advisor Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Fadlallah, and former Afghan Radio and Television Ministry head Malamo Nazamy.

Veteran journalist Reese Erlich offers them a chance to explain key issues and to respond to charges leveled by the United States. Critiquing these responses and synthesizing a broad range of material, Erlich shows that yesterday’s terrorist is today’s national leader, and that today’s freedom fighter may become tomorrow’s terrorist. He concludes that the global war on terror has diverted public attention from the war’s real goal—expanding U.S. influence and interests in the Middle East—and offers policy remedies.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Erlich (coauthor of Target Iraq) questions how the U.S. has dealt with terrorist threats since 2001, suggesting that by "labeling all opponents as terrorists," the government has "from a practical perspective... rendered the term ÿterrorism' meaningless." Using decades of his personal reporting, personal interviews, and new research, Erlich emphasizes the stark differences between the nihilism of al-Qaeda and the political aspirations of organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. He urges the U.S. to "recognize the difference between isolated fanatics and groups fighting for legitimate causes," concluding that such a policy shift would "do more to undermine groups such as al Qaeda than all U.S. invasions combined." Although the patchwork of interviews, analysis, background information, and policy prescriptives in such a slender book can be overwhelming, Erlich efficiently unearths some of the most problematic and overlooked narratives about terrorism.
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Review

"Erlich is not afraid of asking hard questions... he also believes the term "terrorist" is a dangerous distortion of reality that can turn a political conflict into a forever war."
—Conn Hallinan, Review: Talking With Terrorists, Foreign Policy in Focus, November 11, 2010
 

“One of the most courageous journalists I know.”
 —Amiri Baraka (aka LeRoi Jones), Poet, Playwright, and Political Activist

Since I was present at two of these conversations with terrorists, I feel fully qualified to tell you that book you’re holding is true, accurate, thoughtful and eminently readable. I would expect no less of a man who would walk up to Khalil Meschal, the head of the military wing of Hamas at a Syrian embassy reception and ask for an interview. He got it. I traveled with Reese from the Souks of Damascus to the killing grounds of Al Sukariya, near Iraq where we investigated a secret US raid together. It was like traveling with a pit-bull who is trailing a truck of raw meat. Reese locks on to an objective and will not be deterred until he has unpacked and deconstructed it from at least seven angles. (Which are two more than I can conceive of.)
—Peter Coyote, Actor and Author of Sleeping Where I Fall

Reese Erlich, without romanticizing or apologizing for terrorism, gives us a perspective on the Middle East that might balance the propaganda we are daily fed by apologists for the violence of the American Empire and its wars.
—Rabbi Michael Lerner, Editor, Tikkun Magazine, and Chair, Network of Spiritual Progressives

“As usual, Reese Erlich is right on target.”
—James Abourezk, Former U.S. Senator, South Dakota

“This book cuts through the fog of ‘war on terror,’ providing readers with a searchlight to see beyond propaganda. The resulting clarity will transform views of what is—and what is possible.”
—Norman Solomon, Author of War Made Easy and Made Love, Got War

“What is terror? A word. What is in that word, ‘terror’? Reese Erlich introduces us to people whose names are associated with that word.  He gives them the chance to speak. When we listen, we find ourselves provoked with unexpected insights and challenges to our stereotypes.”
—Stephen Kinzer

“In an era when the Bush Administration has defined the world as good VS. evil, it's great to read a book that reminds you things aren't all black and white, but rather shades of grey. Conversations shows you that the term ‘terrorist’ is subjective and that one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist."
—Maz Jobrani, Comedian/Actor/American Citizen
 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Paradigm Publishers (September 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982417136
• ISBN-13: 978-0982417133
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,752 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conversations with Terrorists, December 19, 2010

By 

Robert G. Dunn - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conversations With Terrorists: Middle East Leaders on Politics, Violence, and Empire (Paperback)

This is an interesting and important book. Erlich does an outstanding job of exploring the complex historical and political terrain we call the "Middle East". Weaving together interview material with several political leaders of the region and factual historical documentation, the author cuts through many of the stereotypes and propagandistic views the US and other western powers have perpetrated about this region. He explores major motives and actions of key players to explain what lies behind recent and present difficulties in finding peaceful solutions to Middle East conflict. Perhaps most significant, Erlich calls upon us to re-think the concept of "terrorism" and what it means to be a "terrorist", arguing that terrorism is a tactic used by many groups and countries at various times, including the US. He exposes the folly of the whole notion of a "war on terrorism", which in his view is a major misconception. The book presents a very fair, balanced, and judicious discussion of the political, social, cultural, and religious antagonisms plaguing the area. A must read, especially for those seeking a better understanding of flawed US policy toward the region. A major piece of journalism, the book is very clearly written.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bullet is a Bullet, A Bomb a Bomb, February 10, 2011

By 

Peter Coyote - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conversations With Terrorists: Middle East Leaders on Politics, Violence, and Empire (Paperback)

Reese does us a favor with this trenchant book. From the victim's point of view there is little difference between a "state-sponsored" bomb or a "terrorist's" bomb. State-sponsored players "assume" the high ground by disparaging what are often the liberation struggles of others as "terrorism." Reese takes us behind the veil, fairly, dispassionately, and analytically, to show us living breathing people holding far more complex positions then our press would suggest. I was with him for two of these interviews---with Khalel Mischel and Ayatollah Fadlallah and can testify that he's a tough interview and in no one's pocket. He enters the room well armed with history and fact, and his questions are probing, hard-but-fair. I really enjoyed this book, despite having been there. Reese "organized" it to make a long interview trenchant and coherent, and easier read than uninflected transcript. I think you'll find it instructive too.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book!, December 2, 2010

By 

Lizleaf - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Conversations With Terrorists: Middle East Leaders on Politics, Violence, and Empire (Paperback)

Buy this book, read it and pass it on. What is a terrorist? Reese tells stories about "terrorists" from his hours of interviews with them in a highly readable, educational, conversational tone. Without judgments, his writing allows and especially encourages us to look at the information presented from many angles, challenging us to draw our own conclusions, a most worthy personal developing discipline.