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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran, and the United States
Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran, and the United States
byTrita Parsi
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Yousof Hourani
3.0 out of 5 stars An insightful perspective
Reviewed in Australia on 27 August 2019
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An interesting overview of the range of motives underpinning Israeli, American and Iranian interests.
Feels like it concludes about a decade too early.
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TGC
4.0 out of 5 stars Good analysis, a bit biased
Reviewed in Italy on 8 November 2020
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I suggest reading also from Israeli authors. The author is in the “Iranian lobby” in the US and it shows a bit in the writing.
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dodomeur
5.0 out of 5 stars R.A.S
Reviewed in France on 1 September 2015
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Rien à signaler vraiment. Logistique correct reste maintenant plus qu'à le lire. Et pour le reste, je ne sais vraiment pas quoi dire
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Daniel Pourkesali
5.0 out of 5 stars A treacherous but necessary alliance
Reviewed in the United States on 17 December 2007
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This is a must read book for anyone interested in a thorough examination and understanding of the relationship between Iran, Israel, and the United States and how the relationship between Iran and Israel has historically been defined based on geostrategy rather than ideology from the beginning of the Jewish state.
First a minor correction -- United Nations data shows that Iran's population was about 27 million back in 1967 and not 41 million as stated in chapter 3 under subheading "The 1967 War".
Second a general observation - While not downplaying Dr. Parsi's excellent scholarly work and analysis, it is clearly obvious which audience the book is trying to address or not to offend. For example, in the same chapter on page 33, the former Shah is characterized as someone who was "prone to conspiracy theories" for believing that the U.S. media was controlled by Jewish interests. However, the former Monarch was not entirely alone in that assessment. Former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles was quoted in Donald Neff's book "Fallen Pillars" in February 1957:
"I am aware how almost impossible it is in this country to carry out a foreign policy [in the Middle East] not approved by the Jews..... Terrific control the Jews have over the news media and the barrage the Jews have built up on congressmen.... I am very much concerned over the fact that the Jewish influence here is completely dominating the scene and making it almost impossible to get congress to do anything they don't approve of. The Israeli embassy is practically dictating to the congress through influential Jewish people in the country"
In October 1973, Senator Fullbright, then Chair of Senate Foreign Relations Committee said: "The Israelis control the policy in the congress and the senate." on CBS' "Face the Nation".
It is also no secret that American media is a Jewish dominated institution that blindly adopts Israel's half-truths, myths, and talking points to ensure that the American public only sees, hears, and reads Israel's viewpoints. Despite such total domination, the Jewish lobby still attacks the media and those few columnists and scholars who dare challenge Israel are ridiculed, intimidated, and immediately labeled as anti-Semitic. Just ask Stephen M. Walt and John J. Mearsheimer.
However, none deters from Parsi's lucid analysis and contribution towards a better understanding of the relationship between the three countries. After reading this book, I'm optimistic that perhaps underneath all the current idealistic rhetoric that flies in the face of any sane geostrategy, cooler and wiser heads are still pursuing the far more rational policies of the past because at the end of the day, a weakened Israel or Iran as a result of an unnecessary war can only benefit their common enemies in the region.
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RBB
5.0 out of 5 stars Eye Opening History...what a balancing act.
Reviewed in Canada on 16 July 2025
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I thought I had the last 20 or so years understood going back to Obama. I didn't. The amount of detail that Parsi provides really makes you feel like you were there. You do gain quite an appreciation for what was occurring at the time. In another review, Trita Parsi is said to be a 'Iran Lobbyist'. I wonder if that person even read the book...what I got out of Treacherous Alliance is that Iran behaved badly towards Israel at many turns from 1948 on. Firstly, not recognizing them as a state, the Algiers Accord where they pulled the rug out from the Israelis, using them to gain US contacts and arms for their war against Iraq, all the while not caring to keep Israel in the picture. These are just a few of many many examples where Parsi shows Iran's treacherous attitude towards Israel. Of course he also shows Israel in a negative light taking over Palestine, not paying attention to UN Resolution 242, lying to Bush that settlements would stop, selling arms covertly to Iran etc. I thought Parsi did a fantastic job of all of this which, was the point. These three nations were treacherous to each other....to keep a balance. Parsi explains the motivations of each, the internal preasures within the nations and the many personalities involved.
This was simply INCREDIBLE.
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Edmund Kemper
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 February 2012
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I read the book "All the Shah's men" and enjoyed Trita Parsi's approach much more even though I must admit that the
subject/focus wasn't totally the same. The book is told in chronological order and compared to
All the Shah's men it focuses on Iran and its political ambitions, relationship between the governments of Middle East
instead of little minor details, which don't interest me that much. The books opens a whole new window for the reader and
gives you insight of the public or behind the scene dealings between Iran, US and Israel. From now on I look even more
closely at the news regarding Iran, Israel and neighbouring states, Iran's nuclear ambitions and how other states are
reacting to their actions or rhetoric.
The book was very well written, structured and researched - definitely worth reading, if you are even remotely into politics
or interested in Iran.
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S. SARPAL
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding insight!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 July 2008
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Having read many books on the middle east, I was truly glued to Parsi's Treacherous alliance. The book sheds light on the real 'behind the scenes' policies of Iran and Israel and their relationships to the US and each other. Starting from the Shah's regime and Israel's wars with its neighbours, and then relationships through the cold war and finally to present day politics, several interesting points are highlighted, namely: How Iran helped the US in Afghanistan in order to defeat the Taliban; the secret transfer of US weapons via Israel to Iran during the Iran-Iraq war; as well as statements from Israel's intelligence officials reporting that 'Iran is not a threat to Israel'. In summary, a must read for anyone interested in middle east politics!
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ConsDemo
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Insightful
Reviewed in the United States on 12 June 2011
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I agree with most other reviewers that "Treacherous Alliance" is highly insightful and provides a welcome balance to many contemporary western views of Iran. While it is well known that Israel and the Shah's Iran cooperated from time to time and the US engagement with Iran during the "Iran-contra" affair relied, at least in part, on Israeli mediation, the attempts at rapprochement between Iran and the US since the hostage crisis have not been well explored elsewhere, mostly because neither side chose to broadcast them.
Indeed, one wonders how the region might be different in the US had taken Iran up on its attempts in the 1990s and again in 2003 to forge better relations. It is true that some of the blame for the failure to accept Iranian entreaties can be laid at the feet of the pro-Israel lobby in the US which was able convince members of Congress to stifle any discussions before they got started. This power was recently demonstrated again when President Obama suggests Israeli-Palestinian negotiations use the 1967 borders of Israel as a basis for peace talks and a majority of Congress appeared to side with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's position of intransigence.
Insightful as Parsi's analysis is, I think the vision of rapprochement that he lays out at the end of the book (which was published in 2007) was probably unrealistic. If the current Iranian government was primarily concerned with having its regional importance recognized and respected, it probably could have achieved an understanding with the new Obama Administration in 2009. While it is true that Iran's Islamist governments after 1979 have shown occasional streaks of pragmatism, the current government under President Ahmadinejad has shown little. Even if rhetoric suggesting Iran seeks Israel's discussion is often taken out of context or exaggerated, Israel is right to fear nuclear armed Iran. One hopes Parsi's assertion that the Iranian leadership is ultimately rational is accurate but when one hears the leader of a potentially nuclear nation talking about wiping another nation off the map, it should give the second nation pause. As for US-Iranian relations, a possible American détente with Iran should not be held hostage by Israel's fears, but is it really possible at the present time?
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Al
5.0 out of 5 stars shows the duplicity in the worls
Reviewed in Canada on 2 June 2014
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give you a glimpse of hidden back door dealings . I knew the rhetorical war between Iran and Israel is fake
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Rizgar Jiawook
4.0 out of 5 stars I hope that what is in this book is not ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 October 2014
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I hope that what is in this book is not correct. Otherwise we all been fooled by those Mullas, and don't know what is going on behind the curtains.
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Sepo
5.0 out of 5 stars A much needed read
Reviewed in the United States on 28 December 2007
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This was a very good book. It is a necessary read for anyone who wants a fresh and I believe more accurate assessment of Iran. Anyone formulating Iran policy must read it, if only to hear another reasonable perspective. Despite the rhetoric reported so biasedly in most Western media, and despite the Iranian regime's current unfortunate ideology, whenever the regime's advertised ideology has clashed with it's geopolitical strategy, the latter has ALWAYS prevailed. The "mad mullahs" are not mad enough to risk losing anything. In fact, they are terrified of it. They are now trying to balance ambitions of regional hegemony with forging further entrance into the international community, whilst retaining domestic theocratic control. Iran has evolved since 1979 to a point where the once rigid ideology may now be more flexible. The questions are how much would Iran be willing to flex, and if so, will the World powers accept it as its current Islamic Republic. Unlike one critique earlier, I don't think the author supports the 'Mullahocracy' so much as he seeks to reveal a more objective truth that may prevent unnecessary conflict.
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Harald Dahle-Sladek
5.0 out of 5 stars Israel,Iran and the United States: Through the eyes of an extraordinary and intelligent writer.
Reviewed in the United States on 13 October 2008
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From 1998 till 2003 a huge three-national project between China, Iran and Norway took place on the Iranian side of the Persian Gulf. During these years I created, on behalf of the partners, dialog with Iran. In 2002 I did several filmed interviews with leaders of the Islamic Republic and representatives of the People's Republic of China and Norway.
I have read the book Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran and the US. The book traces the shifting relations between Israel, Iran and the United States from 1948 to the present, uncovering for the first time the details of secret alliances, treacherous acts, and unsavory political maneuverings that have undermined the Middle Eastern stability and disrupted U.S. foreign policy initiatives in the region. Trita Parsi, a U.S. foreign policy expert with more than a decade of experience, is the only writer who has had access to senior American, Iranian and Israeli decision-makers. Doctor Parsi's behind-the-scenes revelations about Middle East events will surprise even the most knowledgeable readers.The book is extraordinary well written and throws a sharp search light on every turn and bend in the political landscapes between Iran, Israel and the US. The books strength is its sometimes overwhelming documentation made by the Author. He has researched every possible detail and fact in the often murky relationship between these three States.
Dr.Parsi opens up a "Pandora's Box" for the reader and his writing style demands Your attention from page one; fasten Your seat belts! This is a book you definitively should not miss.
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Gilda F
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly informative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 May 2015
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Truly, truly informative book. If you want to know and understand the relationship between Iran and Israel, you should read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to others.
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X
5.0 out of 5 stars Well researched, a real eye opener
Reviewed in the United States on 2 November 2009
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A well balanced and fairly even-handed review of the triangle of Iranian-Israeli-US relationships. I say it is even-handed because Trita Parsi is critical of all parties involved. I am sure that neither the ayatollahs of Iran, ex-Bush administration nor the Israeli lobby will appreciate the book due to its straight talk. This is a very timely book given the current push by the international community against the Iranians for their nuclear program. It provides a historical backdrop to understand how the current situation has come to pass. Trita Parsi is a fairly good writer though occasionally repetitive. I found it to be a decent read and very informative.
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Marya
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 October 2014
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Very informative and well written book, recommended!
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Samohamm
3.0 out of 5 stars Trita has done a good job interviewing many sources
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 July 2015
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Trita has done a good job interviewing many sources. But no mater how much he tries, he can not totally hide his sympathy for the current system in Iran. Doesn't always gives the name of the sources for various reason but fails to explain that in the bibliography.
Over all very informative and good/easy read.
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Edward Brynes
3.0 out of 5 stars Whitewashing Iran
Reviewed in the United States on 20 July 2014
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Comments on Treacherous Alliance by Trita Parsi
This book is an account of dealings between Israel, Iran, and the US from the accession of the Shah in 1954 up to 2007. The author has interviewed many of the people involved. This is an important book but I feel its conclusions are misleading.
Under the Shah's reign, Iran disdained Israel, a country to which it gave no official recognition while at the same time secretly providing it with oil in exchange for military and technical training. For Israel, this policy was in agreement with a "doctrine of the periphery" according to which relations with nations outside its immediate neighbors should be cultivated. Consequently Israel chose to endure the disdain even when Iran voted for the "Zionism equals racism" resolution at the UN.
The Revolution caused a complete breakoff but only briefly. Shortly after Khomeini came to power, the Iran-Iraq war broke out. But Iran remained dependent on Israel for military aircraft parts and training. The author speaks of "a multilevel strategy that continues to bewilder political analysts and foreign leaders alike. Instead of opting to balance the Arabs by aligning with Israel, or to seek accommodation with the Arabs by taking the lead against Israel, Tehran chose to do both by differentiating between its operational policy and its rhetoric." (p. 100) Of course this is duplicity; but Iran engaged in it constantly. The hostages seized by Hezbollah "provided Iran with a valuable negotiating tool with the United States" (p.122). The purpose of Iran-Contra, in which Israel was a frequent intermediary, was to reestablish Iranian relations with Washington.
At the time of the Madrid peacemaking conference, a complex pattern of events unfolds. Israel did not want Iran to be present there because of its sponsorship of Hezbollah. Iran was excluded. It would seem to me that Iran's habit of constantly seizing U.S. hostages and then trying to use them as negotiating tools would naturally lead to her exclusion anyway. Iran's reaction was to organize a counter-conference in opposition to Madrid, which was not a great success, but it was followed by Oslo, which was a success. "Convinced that Washington wouldn't grant Iran its legitimate role in the region, " the author states, "Tehran concluded that it was left with no choice but to make America's nonrecognition as costly as possible by sabotaging its policies," and became a supporter of militant Lebanese and Palestinian groups. Israel began a new campaign to demonize Iran. This campaign is presented by the author as merely the result of an Israeli fear of being abandoned by the U.S. and he sees it as the cause of the current public image of Iran.
During approximately the same period, 1991-1994, Iran restarted its nuclear program, which had been suspended under Khomeini. Development of missiles began at the end of the war with Iraq, although at first they were very crude and there was no operational version of the first one, Shehab-3, until 1998. Iran has continued to conduct terrorist activities and to export weapons to Gaza and Sudan. The author pays little attention to this and suggests that the incident of the Karine-A, a freighter caught in the Red Sea carrying weapons to Gaza, was somehow a contrivance. Likewise he considers the AMIA incident in which a Jewish organization in Argentina was bombed, is also only dubiously connected to Iran. Other sources do not seem to agree with him on the Karine-A and AMIA. He does not mention other incidents, such as similar but more recent freighter incidents (the names of the ships involved are Francop, Victoria, and Klos-C). In 2011 an Iranian paramilitary forces attacked the British embassy in Tehran and the Israeli embassy in Cairo. He is focused on the relations of Iran with the U.S. in the pursuit of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, and because of the cooperation that occurred in this case, argues for upgrading Iran's relations. The villains are the familiar neocons: Feith, Rumsfeld, and so on.
The current negative image of Iran is not, in my opinion, simply the result of Israeli demonization. The current problems in negotiating limits to the Iran nuclear program are consistent with past duplicitous behavior.
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Alex.
5.0 out of 5 stars great for information on the Grand Bargain
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 February 2016
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The basis of my Dissertation, great for information on the Grand Bargain.
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Meenaddak
4.0 out of 5 stars The real name of the game
Reviewed in the United States on 2 May 2011
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An excellent insight into the actual dealings between Israel, Iran and the USA away from the boring Iranian rhetoric of "death to america and death to israel" when in fact they have so much in common. It is sad that so many people are still in the dark about the real face of Iran. This book is a real eye opener. Decent Iranians deserve a change. Enough with the mullas who are flourishing on the 20% tax they impose on their shia followers in return for a place next to Ali in heaven. And they blame the catholics! go figure!!!
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David Southworth
5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Review
Reviewed in the United States on 2 April 2010
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This book, while it covers much ground that is already well known, is a great read regardless, because f the number of senior leaders on the US and Iranian sides who are interviewed regarding foreign policy over the last thirty years. This is a great book with many interesting insights, especially for those interested in developing a strategic communications policy regarding Iran. I would think high among the messages we might want to spread is the fact that Ayatollah Khomeini was opposed to nuclear weapons development for religious reasons. A well regarded book. I highly recommend it.
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MP
2.0 out of 5 stars Biased
Reviewed in the United States on 15 February 2026
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Comes from a biased source and some things are taken out of context
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Obi-Wan Kenobi
5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN ON U.S. - IRANIAN ISSUES...PERIOD!
Reviewed in the United States on 6 October 2009
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Trita Parsi has written an excellent book, with a superb usage of the English language.
Mr. Parsi backs up his assertions with factual evidence garnered from interviews with U.S., Iranian, and israeli players, unlike most other so-called 'experts' on the Iranian - U.S. relationship who primarily spew the AIPAC line which is irrationally anti-Persian as well as anti-Islamic and racist.
If you are looking for a concise and well-written explanation on the extremely convoluted state of affairs vis-a-vis Iran, the U.S., and Israel, then buy this book and look no further!
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Kyra Azzato
4.0 out of 5 stars This book provides a great new perspective on U
Reviewed in the United States on 22 November 2015
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This book provides a great new perspective on U.S. relations in the middle east. I had to purchase this book for one of my classes and I really like it. The margins provide the perfect amount of space to take notes in, and the text is a great size to read.
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euphoria
4.0 out of 5 stars the book condition and it will arrive. and honesty
Reviewed in the United States on 27 June 2019
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the book was as described in the website. i am satisfied. highly recommend the seller.
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Sara Ghandi
5.0 out of 5 stars Eye opening
Reviewed in the United States on 31 March 2021
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It's a Wow book. I can't say more. You need to read it to understand how things are going in this world.
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rredd 3212
4.0 out of 5 stars conspire and lie
Reviewed in the United States on 15 January 2008
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american people should read this book, everyone. israel is not the angel most people think they are, and they might be interested in knowing how the government works in this covert way around the world, not just in iran
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 25 March 2016
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A good read and well researched
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Amir A.
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply said a must read for anyone interested to make ...
Reviewed in the United States on 29 January 2015
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Simply said a must read for anyone interested to make sense of the, some what, childish conduct of those leading (by election or by force) the counties in the mid-east. A childish acts with deadly consequences!!!!!
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Fereshteh Abadi
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent documentary full of surprising document
Reviewed in the United States on 6 August 2014
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Excellent documentary full of surprising document. Deep level of research of the real stories that will shock you about how the Iran/Israel relationship has been presented in the media and what actually had happened.
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Just a reviewer, nothing more
3.0 out of 5 stars Good Read.
Reviewed in the United States on 25 February 2015
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Interesting read for Political Science/International Affairs minded individuals. Questions the Israeli/US bond in a thoughtful way.
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Usman Ansari
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in the United States on 17 July 2008
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This book is essential reading for anyone and everyone. Trita Parsi has done an amazing job of researching and tying together the relationship between Iran, Israel, and the United States. You may think you understand the situation or know the background behind the relationships of these countries...but until you read this book, you don't.
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mindraider92
5.0 out of 5 stars Well its a book..
Reviewed in the United States on 21 April 2013
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I bought this book for my father, so i am only going to comment regarding the packaging and so, i shipped it to saudi arabia and the book was in excellent condition!
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Hayro
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent look at foreign affairs.
Reviewed in the United States on 13 May 2011
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Trita Parsi's Treacherous Alliance is a deeply interesting book that analyzes Iran, Israel, and the United States secret dealings and behind the scenes agreement. It is well written and entertaining, I recommended this to anyone and everyone!!
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Hillary Bogus
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 6 February 2016
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This is a truly excellent read. It's extremely well written. It is both factual and fun.
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Sumit Mehrotra
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 November 2017
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A great buy. Arrived in time as well.
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Mas Kaz
5.0 out of 5 stars If you like politic,you will love this book
Reviewed in the United States on 20 May 2016
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Excellent and well documented book
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Gary Julian
5.0 out of 5 stars A view of the other side of the coin
Reviewed in the United States on 13 November 2007
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This book describes a Muslim's view of the relationship of America with the middle east. This is rarely, if ever, given in American press. The facts probably lie somewhere in the middle.
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mo dagstani
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 5 August 2015
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Excellent book
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Ardavan Farmanfarmaian
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 January 2015
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Excellent, recommended seller.
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Haitham Alhindi
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 August 2014
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Informative book
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