Hidden Iran: Paradox and Power in the Islamic Republic (Hardcover)

by Ray Takeyh (Author) "In his State of the Union address on January 31, 2006, President George W. Bush turned his attention to Iran, describing it as a "nation..." (more)
Key Phrases: clerical oligarchs, theocratic regime, clerical rulers, Islamic Republic, United States, Middle East (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this well-constructed sketch of American-Iranian relations, Takeyh (senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations) critiques the U.S.'s unnuanced approach to Iran since its 1979 revolution as well as the failure of successive administrations to note that decades of sanctions and containment haven't significantly changed Iranian behavior. A picture emerges of a complex society marked by cultural struggle and compromise, as Takeyh criticizes the perception of Iranian politics as monolithic. He concludes that the "chimera of regime change" must finally be rejected, and pointedly observes that "it is rare... for a state that views nuclear weapons as fundamental to its security interests to dispense with such weapons under relentless threats." Takeyh urges America to look beyond President Ahmadinejad to such institutions as Iran's powerful Supreme National Security Council and Foreign Ministry, each of which distanced themselves from Ahmadinejad's anti-Israel rhetoric. Takeyh even suggests areas in which Iran and the U.S. might forge a "selective partnership"—not least their shared need for a stable Iraq. Though he occasionally slips into a too-casual assumption of the inevitability of his forecasts, Takeyh (The Receding Shadow of the Prophet) provides a well-argued, seldom heard viewpoint. (Oct.)
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From Booklist
The current standoff between Iran and the West over Iran's nuclear ambitions appears to be a Gordian knot that some urge to be disentangled by resorting to military force. Takeyh wisely places the nuclear issue within the broader context of Iran's relations with the West, and particularly with the "Great Satan," the U.S. Within that context, Takeyh asserts that Americans have grossly misunderstood the complex realities of Iranian political life. As opposed to the image frequently shown in America--a monolithic government controlled by clerical fanatics--Takeyh presents a far more nuanced picture. Despite the recent electoral triumphs of conservative ideologies, Iran remains torn between those who seek a more secular, pluralistic state and those who hope to maintain rigid authoritarianism. The outcome is far from certain, but Takeyh insists the hostile tone emanating from the Bush administration only undermines reformers. Critics are likely to accuse Takeyh of naivete in assuming that our problems with Iran can be solved through dialogue. Still, his assertions and suggestions provide a necessary counterpoint to those who see confrontations and military conflict as inevitable. Jay Freeman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Times Books (October 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805079769
• ISBN-13: 978-0805079760
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #509,472 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading!!, November 24, 2006

By	Erin Campbell (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Like many Americans, my view of Iran has been frozen at the time of the 1979 Iranian Revolution with its searing images of vitriolic anti-Americanism. Given the emerging situation in the Middle East, an updated perspective of Iran is sorely needed. Ray Takeyh does a splended job giving a very readable overview of Iran's development from the '79 revolution to the present. He is also very even-handed in addressing missed opportunities by both the U.S. and Iran in forging less antagonistic relations. Iran is a very complex country which requires others to use a nuanced approach in dealing with its tangled web of mixed tendencies. With Iranian influence currently in ascent, "Hidden Iran" is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand this country in greater depth beyond just being a member of Bush's "axis of evil."

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehending Modern Day Iran, March 8, 2007

By	Jessica G Schreiber "JGG" (Port Angeles, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Thank you Ray Takeyh for writing this informative, insightful book, written in laymen's prose, explaining the history and background that has created the Iran we face today. While not reassuring, Iran becomes not this phasmagorical evil state, but rather a nation state acting out of what it believes to be its own self interest. The final chapter dealing with Iran's entrenched hatred of a Jewish state is the most disturbing and I suspect that is why Takeyh saves it for the end. Yet it is a strange world indeed where the U.S. supplied Iraq with weapons during its decade long war with Iran, and never uttered a peep in protest to Saddam's use of nerve gas on Iraqui soldiers, even to this day, and Iran got a secret supply of weapons from -- and this will shock you -- Israel, which Takeyh infers was with U.S. knowledge and acquiescence. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand this complex and independent country.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A timely book, May 25, 2007

By	Reads a Lot "Reads A Lot" (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews

Takeyh presents a sophisticated picture of how Iran sees the world and how the world sees Iran. There is useful history here, but most interesting here is discussion of Iran's regional ambitions and game plan for getting what it wants.