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Reset: Iran, Turkey, and America's Future
Paperback – 21 June 2011
by Visiting Fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies Stephen Kinzer (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (61)
Reset introduces an astonishing parade of characters: sultans, shahs, oil tycoons, mullahs, women of the world, liberators, oppressors, and dreamers of every sort. Woven together into a dazzling panorama, they help us see the Middle East in a new way--and lead to startling proposals for how the world's most volatile region might be reshaped.
In this paradigm-shifting book, Stephen Kinzer argues that the United States needs to break out of its Cold War mindset and find new partners in the Middle East. Only two Muslim countries in the Middle East have long experience with democracy: Iran and Turkey. They are logical partners for the United States. Besides proposing this new "power triangle," Kinzer tells the turbulent story of America's relations with its traditional partners in the Middle East, Israel and Saudi Arabia, and argues they must be reshaped to fit the new realities of the twenty-first century.
Kinzer's provocative new view of the Middle East--and of America's role there--will richly entertain while moving a vital policy debate beyond the stale alternatives of the last fifty years.
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by Visiting Fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies Stephen Kinzer (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (61)
Reset introduces an astonishing parade of characters: sultans, shahs, oil tycoons, mullahs, women of the world, liberators, oppressors, and dreamers of every sort. Woven together into a dazzling panorama, they help us see the Middle East in a new way--and lead to startling proposals for how the world's most volatile region might be reshaped.
In this paradigm-shifting book, Stephen Kinzer argues that the United States needs to break out of its Cold War mindset and find new partners in the Middle East. Only two Muslim countries in the Middle East have long experience with democracy: Iran and Turkey. They are logical partners for the United States. Besides proposing this new "power triangle," Kinzer tells the turbulent story of America's relations with its traditional partners in the Middle East, Israel and Saudi Arabia, and argues they must be reshaped to fit the new realities of the twenty-first century.
Kinzer's provocative new view of the Middle East--and of America's role there--will richly entertain while moving a vital policy debate beyond the stale alternatives of the last fifty years.
Read less
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Review
"Fresh and well-informed. . . . Kinzer argues persuasively that despite their very different governments -- one friendly and free, the other hostile and theocratic -- both Turkey and Iran are host to vibrant democratic traditions that make them natural long-term partners of the United States. . . . [A] lively, character-driven approach to history." --The Washington Post
"Because we're so accustomed to bad news out of the Middle East, trouble seems inevitable. Reset suggests that needn't be so. But can anybody hear its lucid, historically grounded points above the shouting and the gunfire?" --Chicago Tribune
"At once a stern critique of American foreign policy and a concise, colorful, and compelling modern history of Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. A former journalist for The New York Times and The Boston Globe, Kinzer is a masterful storyteller. His cast of characters leaps off the page... Kinzer makes a compelling case... that the road to peace in the Middle East runs through Ankara and Tehran, not Jerusalem." --NPR.org
"In Reset, [Kinzer] proposes a radical new course for the United States in the region. The United States, he argues, needs to partner with Iran and Turkey to create a 'powerful triangle' whose activities would promote a culture of democracy and combat extremism. . . . Kinzer's U.S.-Iranian-Turkish alliance is a long-term project, and the idea has ample grounding in the modern history of the region. Unlike other Muslim countries there, Kinzer shows, Iran and Turkey have at last a century's worth of experience struggling for political freedom . . . [and] share some fundamental values with the United States." --Foreign Affairs
"The main message is intriguing." --The Economist
"An original, unsettling critique . . . [and] an imaginative solution to the Middle-East stalemate." --Kirkus Reviews
"Kinzer re-imagines the world and America's role in it." --Robert Lacey, author of Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Terrorists, Modernists, and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia
"Stephen Kinzer's deep knowledge of the Middle East is complemented by his lucid style and new ideas. He sees Turkey as a key state for the region and the world, suggests new and innovative ways to deal with Saudi Arabia and Iran, and calls for the United States to play a much more robust and determined role in the Arab-Israeli peace process. His historical perspective and trenchant analysis make Reset an informative read for experts and newcomers alike." --Thomas R. Pickering, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and under secretary of state for political affairs
"Stephen Kinzer's Reset argues that contradictory U.S. policies in the Middle East are producing serial disasters. He recounts with verve the dramatic historical events and the vivid personalities that brought us to these straits, and argues for a new realism about the rapid rise of Iran and Turkey as regional superpowers challenging the old, dysfunctional bargains struck in the twentieth century. This book is a must-read for anyone concerned with the future of the United States in the Middle East." --Juan Cole, professor of history, University of Michigan, and author of Napoleon's Egypt and Engaging the Muslim World
"I read and relished Stephen Kinzer's Reset - kudos to him for approaching the enduring problem of the Middle East in a fresh way. Even old hands may learn something new in these fluent, timely, and provocative pages." --Karl E. Meyer, coauthor of Tournament of Shadows and Kingmakers: The Invention of the Modern Middle East
"Does the United States have nothing but bad choices in the Middle East? Stephen Kinzer says we have attractive choices if our leaders will just abandon the premises of the Cold War and look instead at opportunities in front of their eyes. Kinzer elaborates grand ideas in the conversational voice of a story-teller and challenges conventional wisdom in the most reasonable tones. But let the reader beware: He will make you think, and you may never see the region in quite the same way again." --Gary Sick, senior research scholar, Columbia University, and author of All Fall Down: America's Tragic Encounter with Iran
"A vivid account underscoring the persistent folly of Western, and especially U.S. policy in the Middle East. This is history with bite and immediacy. Yet Stephen Kinzer sees cause for hope: The possibility of change exists if we but seize it." --Andrew J. Bacevich, author of The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism
About the Author
Stephen Kinzer is the author of many books, including The True Flag, The Brothers, Overthrow, and All the Shah's Men. An award-winning foreign correspondent, he served as the New York Times bureau chief in Nicaragua, Germany, and Turkey. He is a senior fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University, and writes a world affairs column for the Boston Globe. He lives in Boston.
From other countries
黒羽夏彦
5.0 out of 5 stars アメリカ・トルコ・イランのトライアングル同盟は果たして可能か？
Reviewed in Japan on 8 October 2010
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
本書で示される論点は大きく分けて次の二点にまとめられる。第一に、トルコとイランの現代史を振り返りながら両国ともに民主化・近代化へと向けた内発的な動きがあったことを示し、その点で欧米とある程度まで価値観の共有される素地があることに注目を促す。モサデク政権転覆工作等で反米感情を高めてしまった経緯はそれこそ「リセット」したい歴史だろう。一方、中東には冷戦期の戦略的目的からアメリカが強力な同盟関係を築いたやっかいな国が二つある。すなわち、イスラエルとサウジ・アラビアの存在はアメリカの対中東関係をこじらせる一因となっている。この不安定な中東世界において仲介役が果たせる国として、近代的な価値観とイスラムとの両方の要素を合わせ持つトルコの存在に注目し、さらにはトルコ・イラン・アメリカのトライアングル関係の構築を提唱するのが第二の論点である。
トルコとイランは本来欧米と価値観を共有できたはずなのに、歴史的な経緯の中でうまくいかず、アメリカ外交政策の判断ミスによってさらにそのねじれが増幅されてしまった、その仕切りなおしを図りたいという考え方が本書の基本的なトーンである。こうした議論は民主化・近代化を指標とする点で西欧文明至上主義の一変種に過ぎないのではないかという批判もあり得るかもしれないが、むしろギクシャクしがちな欧米とイスラム世界との間に開かれた関係を築く接点をどこに求めたらいいのかという問題意識に目を向けたい。
2 people found this helpful
Vigolo
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book to Catch up with Current Events
Reviewed in the United States on 19 February 2011
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I recommend this book hihgly to anyone who doesn't know what the fuss with Iran is about and why Turkey is considered a unique system in its geography and why America is so heavily invested in Israel and where all the anti-American dissent is coming from in the Middle East. If you are like me and confused, yet not convinced by mainstream media and want to add 2 and 2 together to see HOW things got here, this is the book for you. It offers a clear, crisp history of all three countries and their relationships with each other.
These are major players in the Middle East, which has been an open wound for a while now, affecting every country in different ways and the book shows you why it is important for them to band up together against much more serious threats. A lot of people called the solutions 'naive' but I don't feel that way at all - history shows us that things can swing this or that way very fast for nations and that people have a very short term memory. The country that enjoyed immense friendship with Iran not too long ago seems oblivious to it now and considers it an archenemy. Why can't things reset and revert again? It sounds very possible to me with the right people in the right places and the world is certainly changing fast enough to make it hopeful. Also, the last chapter might as well have been written just last week - it eerily predicts the wave of democracy and anti-government movement that is happening right now in the Middle East, which proves that it is not making far-fetched, mythical assumptions and has a lot to offer to the curious mind. it isn't too long and overwhelming either, a good, fun read with a lot to learn from.
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Dr K.
4.0 out of 5 stars Food for Thought
Reviewed in the United States on 1 March 2016
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Kinzer is a knowledgeable man who writes clearly, cleanly, and without polemics. Like Blondin, he carefully walks the tightrope of Middle East current events without tumbling into Niagra Falls. He is very balanced and articulate. When it comes to Turkey and Iran, he provides invaluable insight not easily found elsewhere. While he briefly addresses the Israel-Palestine conflict, it is less his forte (though the US State Department would've loved his list of benefits of the 'two-state solution' with a divided Jerusalem). Also, since the book was published in 2010, it is time for an update. Even so, I recommend this book, which sheds much needed light on this most strategic part of the world.
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Shirin Afrasiabi
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most informative books, I have ever read.
Reviewed in the United States on 3 January 2011
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I had read All of the Shah's Men and was fascinated by the facts that were disclosed in it. His books are well researched and well documented.This book is no different. The content is mind blowing and as you read this you wonder why it's facts are not all over the news?! Why does the media do such a good job at ignoring these facts? But I am greaful that at least they are put together in such a fantasticly well put together book.
He beautifully portrays the roles of Israel and Saudi Arabia in American history from the beginning to now. While drawing a parallel between Turkey and Iran and their histories during the last century. He ultimately suggests that Israel and Saudi Arabia have served their purposes in fighting the cold war and are NOW detrimental to the US image and ideals. Israel is doing the US's dirty work and Saudi Arabia is funding them. The world knows it and dispises us all for it!
He suggests that the Turks and the Iranian people have faught and survived severe, unimagianble political rapings by the foreign/western world and have continued to idealize democracy and freedom, while maintaining their religious fervor. It talks about multiple attempts by such revolutionary leaders as Ata Turk and Reza Shah to put the clergy in their place and allow democracy to run its course. He then parallels that with the US history and how it overcame the invaders and fought for democracy while maintainning its religious beliefs.
Idealistic but very tempting to believe as a possibility. I hope those in power will read this and maybe consider it as a plausible point of view. Non politicians should revel in these facts and thank him,with reading every line, for bringing these facts to our attention.
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DR A.
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed thorough analysis of past, present, and future.
Reviewed in the United States on 30 July 2016
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This book, very well, summarizes the history and the evolution of these two countries in the middle east. Any politician or businessman who wants to deal with these two countries should read this book and use its insight to achieve his goals.
Toward the last chapters, it became too repetitive of same facts that bore me. The author's other books have been lacking of this repetition. I felt as if he is filling the book! That's why I gave it four stars. But overall, I recommend this book to everyone. Wonderful research in history and diplomacy of the region.
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Lycians
3.0 out of 5 stars Not Mr Kinzer's best work
Reviewed in the United States on 25 September 2012
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I purchased the Kindle version of this book so there are no photos or illustrations. If the print book has them it MIGHT add a star to my review.
I agree with a previous review called "Good history, naive policy." I felt this book fell short of those of Mr. Kinzer's previous works I have read. Crescent and Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds , All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror , or Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq were 5 star books for me because of their depth of historical detail and resources referenced. Reset fell short of its promise and his predictions, although timely, seem to fall short of the reality and are more naive than what I expect from Mr Kinzer.
When I first moved to Turkey over 12 years ago I read Mr Kinzer's book Crescent and Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds . For far too long the United States and the UK have bungled their involvement in the affairs of the Middle East, mostly to the dismay of its residents and causing anger, hatred and general ill-will toward America and England. Persians and Turks are not Arabs and with the modernity they already have attained, they could be, as Kinzer seems to hope, the leaders of the 21st Century in this troublesome Muslim and oil-rich region. As a former American I would hope that Turkey and Iran could be allies and that they could eventually become the "tails that wag" the American dog and ally with America. I just do not feel he made his case strong enough nor clear enough in this book.
For anyone not familiar with the history or problems of this region, there are some good historical gems along the way. If you have studied or read previously the history of the Middle East and especially Turkey and Iran, there are few new facts. All that being said, if you have not read any of Mr Kinzer's previous books, then at least try to read this one.
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Lethaltruth
5.0 out of 5 stars Another solid book
Reviewed in the United States on 28 July 2024
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Stephen knocks it out of the park again and again. Worthy of your time and consideration. Have never disliked a Stephen Kinzer book. This book takes on specific countries such as Turkey, Iran, Israel, and Saudi Arabian and their relation to the USA.
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Richard Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to know why Iran does not trust the U.S., read this book.
Reviewed in the United States on 10 February 2014
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Steven Kinzer was a NY Times correspondent before he retired and became an author and collegeprofessor. If you want to know the reality of our policy towards Iran over the last seven decades. We tried to prop up the Shah, who was despised in Iran, by overthrowing a democratically elected government. This led to an Islamic revolution in the country and the lost of a potentially valuable ally in the Middle East. U.S. policy makers at present do not seem to remember this history. If you want more of this history, read "Overthrow". This is Kinzer's book on the thirteen democratically elected governments around the world that the U.S. chose to remove from power.
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Barbara Collins
4.0 out of 5 stars Turkey & Iran
Reviewed in the United States on 10 August 2010
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
With Turkey playing an increasingly important role in the area and the US and Israel threatening to obliterate Iran, this book is a must read. More than just a he said/she said, it delves into the history and politics of both countries. Most of us know little about either country,and this is a real eye-opener and a plea for more reasonable and mature minds to keep us from making an even greater mistake in the Middle-East than has already been made.
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From other countries
Shirley Temple
4.0 out of 5 stars I like that the book summarizes all the things that happened ...
Reviewed in the United States on 7 January 2017
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I like that the book summarizes all the things that happened in Middle East and Central America under one cover. There is some understanding of the middle eastern culture. However, the writer seems to be as deceived by Erdogan as was fashionable in 2002-2010 until he showed his true colors; Islamist.. So I would say that it is a little shallow in evaluating movements; but he would not be the only one deceived by Erdogan.
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rick
4.0 out of 5 stars Exce!!ent Discussion
Reviewed in the United States on 27 March 2021
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Very thorough analysis of the two major players in the region. Of course it is written from a pro American perspective which colors the suggested diplomatic solutions.
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Amaia
5.0 out of 5 stars Quick Read With Powerful Content
Reviewed in the United States on 10 June 2017
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This was my third Kinzer book, and the recent attempted coup and political chaos in Turkey motivated me to seek more information on the topic. Even though this book was published 7 years ago, I feel Kinzer's insight into the country was valuable in helping me make sense of current events. I also appreciate his Iran perspective. As Iran has been in headlines recently, Kinzer's view is one not often presented in the news, but a view that I believe should also be heard.
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Doser
5.0 out of 5 stars Stephen Kinzer changed my world
Reviewed in the United States on 8 February 2014
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A great book in respects to understanding Iran and Turkey and how the US as well as the West interacts with them. Stephen Kinzer is a very accessible writer for the general public with every book he writes, with his knack for telling the story with a non-ethnocentric style. He paints a possible positive future for these two countries and their influence in the middle east upon troubled countries like Syria and Israel if the US starts to change foreign policy and view these countries in a different light.
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Armineh H. Ohanian
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! I am having a book signing for my ...
Reviewed in the United States on 28 July 2014
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Excellent! I am having a book signing for my The Apple Tree Blossoms in the Fall, and "Reset" will help me a lot in my discussion abouot Iran. I highly recomment Stephen Kinzer's "Reset". I think everybody should try to educate themselves about the real history of the Middle East, and "Reset" is the book to educate you in that field. I also recommend his "Hostate to Khomeini."
Armineh Helen Ohanian
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Ninos Youkhana
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Read
Reviewed in the United States on 8 March 2017
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It was a very good read. I enjoyed how Stephen draws lessons from history. I like his approach. I just think his solutions are not applicable to the current situations. But at least he is thinking outside the box.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Reset: Iran, Turkey and America's Future by Stephen Kinzer
Reviewed in the United States on 21 March 2014
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Great read. Kinzer clearly illuminates the historical and political framework behind America's policies in Turkey and Iran during the last century
Stephen Kinzer brings key players to life through a coherent narrative that reveals patterns of interference by western powers that impact the two countries to this day.
Published in 2010, the book is a good foundation for better understanding interactions among Turkey, Iran and the United States today.
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BB7
5.0 out of 5 stars New Thinking in Foreign Policy
Reviewed in the United States on 18 July 2010
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
For decades, the U.S. has made Israel and Saudi Arabia the centerpieces of our Middle Eastern foreign policy. Kinzer argues that this no longer reflects the reality of power changes in the region, and that the U.S. must consider Turkey and Iran as the new power brokers in the region. His historical background is excellently and clearly presented: his writing is clear and consise. His rational arguments for change in thinking are powerfully presented.
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michael bond
4.0 out of 5 stars Mideast Power Players
Reviewed in the United States on 25 March 2014
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This guy knows mideast history. Those jokers at fox news should read this to get clear perspective from someone that has lived and studied the area; without a personal agenda. Suppose that is too much to expect.
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Brian Griffith
5.0 out of 5 stars The friendships of the future
Reviewed in the United States on 16 December 2013
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Kinzer looks at the actual similarities in values and institutions between nations, and sees beyond past alliances of convenience or inherited prejudices. He examines the potential of friendship between nations previously divided more by verbal rhetoric or simple unfamiliarity than by any actually conflicting goals. I think it's a vision that will come: real friendship with Turkey and Iran.
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Reset: Iran, Turkey, and America's Future
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