Engaging Iran: The Rise of a Middle East Powerhouse and America's Strategic Choice (Hardcover)

by Nathan Gonzalez (Author)
Key Phrases: United States, Saudi Arabia, Engaging Iran (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
“Gonzalez deserves credit for reflecting Iranians' sentiments, self-image, national aspiration, and historical awareness. Such understanding, although essential for negotiating with Iran, is perhaps most lacking among commentators vociferously prescribing confrontation. The author's recognition of Iran's ancient cultural institutions, the effective progressive role of women from ancient times to the present following Iran's constitutional revolution, and the impromptu vigil in Tehran's streets to express sympathy for 9/11 victims is both helpful and inspiring.... Recommended. All levels.”–Choice

“Gonzalez (founder, Nationandstate.org, "an open-source foreign policy think tank") calls for a new approach for US foreign policy towards Iran grounded in a more sophisticated understanding of Iran's "trajectory of independence," a trajectory that may have led to violent resistance to foreign intervention but also has brought Iran closer to homegrown democracy than any country in the neighboring Arab world. He argues that this trajectory of independence has been developing for roughly the past one and a half centuries and that it is set to place Iran's increasingly educated and pro-American youth at the forefront of Iranian politics. He sets this argument next to an analysis of the legacies of recent Presidents Ahmadinejad, Khatami, and Rafsanjani and concludes his discussion with a proposal for engaging Iran and enlisting it as an American ally in the Middle East.”–Reference & Research Book News

“This book offers an important new perspective to the debate about U.S.-Iranian relations. Much like Nixon's strategy of detente during the 1970s, Gonzalez suggests that the time is ripe for a reduction in tension with the Islamic Republic. His arguments for replacing ideological confrontation with strategic engagement are detailed and thought-provoking and should inform foreign policy discussions for many years.”–James J. F. Forest, United States Military Academy

“A very thought provoking, well written analysis of Western misconceptions of Iran. The solution offered suggests that our relationship with Iran can be radically transformed to reduce the strain on our resources and reshape our understanding of other international commitments.”–David C. Rapoport, Founding Editor, Journal of Terrorism and Political Violence

“Nathan Gonzalez knows Iran. His grasp of the country's culture, religion, and complex political structure is unmatched among American analysts. Engaging Iran is a must read for anyone who wants a fuller, more complete picture of this powerful, problematic, and increasingly influential country. I cannot recommend this book enough.”–Reza Aslan, Author No God but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam

Book Description

Advocates a far-sighted, grand-strategic American foreign policy toward the emerging Iranian powerhouse in the Middle East.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Praeger (August 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275997421
• ISBN-13: 978-0275997427
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #867,815 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that engaged me, October 9, 2007

By	Steven Gibson "Action and SF critic" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book to be very helpful in laying out the myths of perception we in the west have about Iran. This book gives a concise grounding in the history of Iran, as a pawn in great power struggles and the growth and changes in Shi'a and Islamic faith in the region. I believe the grounding is complete enough that explanations of issues around today's geopolitics are easier to understand and judge.

I like the reminder to plan for long term end states desired in any political conflict. This was so clear in the U.S. adventure in Iraq. And we need to remember this in our dealings with Iran. It is important, as the author points out to us, to paint real images of those we think of as enemies, instead of dealing in stereotypes.

The last section, Part III, is devoted to detailing and proposing new policy approaches between the U.S. and Iran . These include a modified "Nixon Doctrine", approaches to maintaining "American Hegemony" and theories about democracies not going to war against each other. Some conclusions left me questioning some underlying assumptions but I recommend this books for its illuminating and provocative ideas.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good Iran book, December 1, 2007

By	Quinn Martin, New York City - See all my reviews

This is a cracker-jack of a book. Lucidly written, rich with historical background, argued in a reasoned and intellectually honest way. I am not an Iran expert, but I imagine this book would make excellent reading for specialists as well as those generally interested in foreign affairs like me.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you read this you will know why Bush lied about Iran, December 4, 2007

By	Steven J. Ybarra "Steven Ybarra JD" (Sacramento CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As I type this , we are discovering that Bush lied about the nuclear weapons in Iran. Just like he lied about Iraq he was bound and determined to send us into a war as he left office.
Read this book if you want to learn about the issues related to Iran and foreign policy.
Steven J. Ybarra JD