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The Devil We Know: Dealing With The New Iranian Superpower (2008)

by Robert Baer(Favorite Author)

3.83 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0307408647 (ISBN13: 9780307408648)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Crown

review 1: Robert Baer writes a clear and insightful account of Iran's involvement with proxies Hezbollah and Iraq, the country's growing nationalism and it's expansionist goals. Using a minimum of bombast and strong on historical facts, Baer makes a strong case for US involvement with Iran. I would have liked a little more statistical data to be included and greater coverage of the possible ramifications on Israel if the US were to more actively do business with Iran. Still, a most worthwhile read for anyone interested in the Middle East.
review 2: I had my doubts in the beginning of the book. It seemed to me that the author was making sweeping generalizations without statistical data or even flimsy facts to back it up. And while his inferences continued throughout ... morethe book, his experiences in the Middle East allow him to interpret actions and words of other players in the Middle East.His view of Iran and how the US should deal with it is alarming, then insightful, then so obvious I wanted to write my congressman AND senator to share my 'new' opinion on Iran. I'm looking forward to more books on Iran and Shia Islam to help me formulate my own opinion and better understand the region.My understanding of the difference e between Shia and Sunni Islam was the vague notion that they disagree on who the true chosen heir of the prophet Muhammad. Baer touched on much more important distinctions that have vast implications on how different countries are organized and those countries relationships with Western and Eastern countries.This is an excellent ‘primer’ book. This book has drawn me into the desire to understand the differences between the residents of the Middle East (Persian vs. Arab, Shia vs. Sunni) and the effectiveness of our allies (Baer explains that we are aligning ourselves with the weakest countries in the region). It was useful to read near a computer so that I could jump on-line to get better understanding of events (Israel / Lebanon war).All in all, I highly recommend it. less

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