Fateful Triangle, Updated Edition: The United States, Israel, and the Palestinians (South End Press Classics Series) [Hardcover]

Noam Chomsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999 | ISBN-10: 089608602X | ISBN-13: 978-0896086029 | Edition: 2 Updated

Since its original publication in 1983, Fateful Triangle has become a classic in the fields of political science and Middle East affairs. This new edition features new chapters and a new introduction by Noam Chomsky and a foreword by Edward Said. Examining America's search for a 'reliable ally' in the Middle East, Chomsky untangles the intricacies of the US-Israeli-Palestinian relationship and lays bare the contortions, lies and misinformation that have been used over the years to obscure the real agenda. In the process he reveals the extent to which modern nation-states make claims for peace while actively pursuing very different objectives. In three new chapters Chomsky examines the Palestinian Uprising, the 'Limited War' in Lebanon and the Israeli-PLO Accords after the Oslo signings. This is a timely and much-needed corrective to the mythmaking that has obscured the real history of peace negotiations in the Middle East.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

First published in 1983, Fateful Triangle is a comprehensive indictment of what Noam Chomsky calls the "disgraceful and extremely dangerous" policy the United States has enacted towards Israel, particularly with regard to Israel's actions concerning the Palestinians. Supporters of Israel must willfully overlook or deny that nation's long history of human rights violations and military aggression, Chomsky writes, and they will continue to do so as long as Israel is strategically useful towards "the U.S. aim of eliminating possible threats, largely indigenous, to American domination of the Middle East region." In the course of elaborating his argument, Chomsky cuts through the myths and distortions that appear in mainstream media accounts; the damning facts that he so systematically assembles portray a government more brutally and overtly racist, perhaps, than even apartheid-era South Africa. Three new chapters, drawing upon material from Z magazine and other publications, incorporate such developments as the Palestinian uprising, Israel's war on Lebanon, and the ongoing "peace process." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

"A devastating collection of charges aimed at Israeli and American policies that affect the Palestinian Arabs negatively," said LJ's reviewer of this thesis on Middle East politics. With several additional chapters, a new preface, and a new foreword by Edward Said, Chomsky brings the story up-to-date. With the political situation in the Middle East just as hot now, this is bound to be an important volume. (LJ 12/15/83)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: South End Press; 2 Updated edition (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089608602X
• ISBN-13: 978-0896086029
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,937,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Noam Chomsky is Institute Professor in the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston. A member of the American Academy of Science, he has published widely in both linguistics and current affairs. His books include At War with Asia, Towards a New Cold War, Fateful Triangle: The U. S., Israel and the Palestinians, Necessary Illusions, Hegemony or Survival, Deterring Democracy, Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy and Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Noam Chomsky, as always, brings clarity to this world, April 28, 2002

By 

"nukemind" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fateful Triangle: The United States, Israel, and the Palestinians (Updated Edition) (South End Press Classics Series) (Paperback)

Noam Chomsky delves into a delicate subject for many Americans, Israel and the politics surrounding our unwavering support of their regime. Chomsky, himself a nominal Jewish American, takes an academic and objective approach to examining the "special relationship" between the US and Israel and the dynamics surrounding the specific exchanges that have gone on for decades. What is apparent is that Chomsky has learned and given in great detail certain specific information about Israel's actions that make those who support Israel nervous and outraged. Chomsky doesn't pull any punches when he describes Israel's reasons for invading Lebanon and the illegality of that action. He discusses the role of American Jewry and their attempt to intertwine the tragedy of the Jewish Holocaust of WWII with the destiny of Israel. To speak out against Israel, Chomsky argues, is to be dubbed anti-Semitic. The fear of being called anti-Semitic has stopped many Americans from discussing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in an objective manner (as they would with other similar situations). He goes on to discuss the politics of the Arab-Israeli wars, popular perception and myth, and the reasons behind what motivates America to support Israel's actions with little or no criticism (even in the face of worldwide condemnation). For skeptics and other critics Chomsky includes prodigious notes and primary sources on the subject and leaves room for little doubt as to his reasoning. The newer updated version has a foreword written by Edward Said that is quite poignant and apt: "There is something profoundly moving about a mind of such noble ideals repeatedly stirred on behalf of human suffering and injustice." I couldn't have said it better myself. Far from being "anti-Semitic," this book is an honest analysis by a courageous academic crusader, willing to disregard his supposed religious affliation for the greater good and to serve the cause of justice and truth in reporting. Chomsky is not for those readers seeking an easy answer to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and is not certainly not for those without an open mind. Highly recommended.

33 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic. The best book on the subject..., March 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fateful Triangle: The United States, Israel, and the Palestinians (Updated Edition) (South End Press Classics Series) (Paperback)

I've read many books by many authors on the subject of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and I would have to say that this book is the best of the bunch. It is a classic. He backs up every single statement he makes with facts, often quoting Israeli sources. He is so thorough in his arguments that it is practically impossible to argue against him.

One of the reviews below dismissed this work as being biased and anti-Semetic. This is a ridiculous claim considering the fact that Chomsky is Jewish and used to teach Hebrew when he was younger. This individual also stated that the Arab states created the problem of the Palestinian refugees. This is simply not true and even Israeli historians dismiss such claims as lies and propoganda (eg. Morris, Segev, Flapan, etc.).

Buy it, read it, study it... it is an impressive work.

43 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good analysis, very detailed but not a general review., March 7, 2001

By 

Eric N. Romsted "romsted" (Highland Park, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fateful Triangle, Updated Edition: The United States, Israel, and the Palestinians (South End Press Classics Series) (Hardcover)

I'm going to break with the convention of the other reviewers and give this book a 3.

The first thing prospective readers should know is that this is not (despite the implication of the title) a general review of of Israeli-Palistinian-US relations. Almost half of the book is taken up by a detailed review of the 1982 war in Lebanon. This would have made sense in 1983 when the book was originally published, but 20 years it later makes for a skewed focus. The first few chapters provide some rather spotty background history. And the additional material in the new addition is essentially a few slightly reworked Z Magazine articles which are not really integrated into the rest of the book. Even for the events focused on, this book is not designed as a complete history. In classical Chomsky style, it is designed to be an antidote the to incomplete history provided by the mainstream media. The style of the book is also classical Chomsky, an almost stream of conciousness flow of information demolishing the standard historical explination and bolstering his own. However, put together, these two factors make the book difficult to follow for a reader not already well versed in the events.

Despite this negative begining, don't think that I'm one of those Chomsky-bashers who give 1 star to everything he's ever written. I actually like Noam. And I am generally persuaded by his analysis. However, after slogging through this book I felt that the lasting knowledge I will take from it could have been fit into 100 pages rather than 550. So unless you have a serious interest in the 1982 war in Lebanon this probably isn't the book for you.