Iran in Crisis? Nuclear Ambitions and the American Response [Paperback]

Roger Howard (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1842774751 | ISBN-13: 978-1842774755 | Publication Date: August 26, 2004

Since the occupation of Iraq in early 2003, Iran has become by default the Middle East's last remaining significant power, apart from Israel. Yet, as defense analyst Roger Howard shows, Iran feels deeply insecure. It is in this context that this book explores Irans' weapons, foreign relations with North Korea and China, politics in the region, and more. Given the regional tension and the overt hostility of the United States , this book provides an essential background for understanding the likely course of events in the Middle East.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'In a brilliant analysis that is cogent and clear, Howard's book on the ongoing confrontation between the US and Iran could not be more timely. It also gives some stark predictions as to the possible fallout for today's troubled world and some eminently sensible answers as to what can be done to avoid another catastrophe in the Middle East. There is no better study available. A book for the layman as well as the experts, this is a must read.' - Ahmed Rashid, journalist and author of best selling ''Taliban'' and ''Jihad" 'This wonderfully topical book is as well researched as it is readable. It delves into the mystery and history that makes Iran the country it is today and shows it to be much more complex than the neo-cons and bible-belters in the United States affect to think.' - Sir David Gore-Booth, Former Middle East Director British Foreign Office 1989-92 'A deeply informed and acute study of Iran and of American policy and reactions to that country, one which is highly readable and also fair and balanced'. - The Rt Hon the Lord Gilmour of Craigmillar

About the Author

Roger Howard is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The Daily Mail, for which he covered the US-led war in Afghanistan, The New Statesman, The Spectator, Middle East International and Jane's Intelligence Review.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Zed Books (August 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842774751
• ISBN-13: 978-1842774755
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,674,445 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Attempted justification for attacking Iran, December 2, 2004

By 

William Podmore (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Iran in Crisis? Nuclear Ambitions and the American Response (Paperback)

Howard, a British journalist who covered the attack on Afghanistan for the Daily Mail, has written a book promoting a US attack on Iran.

The US state continually threatens to attack Iran, demanding regime change. Its Iran Democracy Act of 2003 funds opposition groups in Iran, breaking its 1981 agreement not to interfere in Iran's affairs. It backs the blacklisted mujehadin terrorist MKO's efforts to overthrow the Iranian government.

The US state claims that Iran is no democracy. Yet Iran is far more democratic than we are told. It directly elects its President and its city, town and village governments. In 2002 the UN Human Rights Commission voted to remove Iran from its blacklist of countries. Iran's press is freer than most. Women have more rights - 63% of 2002's university intake was female. Schoolgirls no longer have to wear headscarves and robes in school.

Yet Howard parrots the US state's efforts to justify attacking Iran because it might develop a nuclear bomb. He claims there are `good reasons to fear the development of an Iranian nuclear bomb'. Why? Because this would `enhance their security'. Hasn't Iran any right to security? Iran's possession of a bomb would "encourage militants in the region to adopt a yet more aggressive approach against the Israeli Defence Force." So it's not the IDF that's aggressive but its victims!

Howard asserts, quoting Bush, that the USA "has some reason to fear that the regime would transfer warheads into the hands of terrorist networks" and "An Iranian bomb would also be at risk of inadvertently falling into the hands of third parties." This is no more likely than Saddam Hussein letting his enemy bin Laden get the WMD that Saddam didn't have anyway!

In his last two chapters, Howard discusses the "different ways in which Washington could try to engineer political change inside Iran." He calls for `a far-reaching programme of free-market reforms', privatisation, labour market `flexibility', and ending foreign exchange controls. Is he after a job with Bush?

The Iranian people have every right to determine their own future, without fear of attack. Hands off Iran!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well researched and informative, April 16, 2008

By 

Joshua (Alaska, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Iran in Crisis? Nuclear Ambitions and the American Response (Paperback)

I gotta say, that the author has really done a good job presenting ideas in a fair and balanced manner with this book.

At first i was hesitant, and almost didn't make it past the first chapter - however, I stuck with it and found that my decision was well rewarded. There are so many things, complexities, aspects to the political situation within Iran that I had no idea about.

The problem i had with the first chapter - is that I judged too quickly - and assumed at first that the author's analysis would be too simplistic. However, this is very far from the case - as the analysis and information presented is well nuanced and reasoned.

Also, the author has a very good writing voice - i found this book very easy to read. It takes skill to present complex foreign topics in such a readable manner. Thanks Roger.


Now i want to learn more - so i'll read another book on Iran by another author... Diversity of opinion - and material is important.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars What Are this Guy's Credentials?, August 10, 2005

By 

A. Malaki "bostonmikem" (Boston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Iran in Crisis? Nuclear Ambitions and the American Response (Paperback)

Before one even considers buying this book, one should ask: What are this authors credentials for writing about this subject matter with any authority or unbiasedness and objectivity? He was a "reporter" for the Daily Mail, not exactly the most thought provoking news source. A few scattered articles here and there that he has contributed? Has he studied Iran and its politics and history in any depth, does he have any degree in this field? Has he travelled to Iran? How often has he interviewed Iran's government decision-makers? How long have he covered Iran consistently over the past 25 years of revolution? And that's just the beginning. This guy is just an opportunist trying to ride the wave of histeria about Iran that is being fabricated by the neo-cons in Qashington once again, hoping he could repeat what others like him did in Iraq. If you really have to read it, wait until it is being sold for a penny by the homeless guys who collect it from garbage cans on the street corners.