Over the past thirty years, while the United States has turned either a blind or dismissive eye, Iran has emerged as a nation every bit as capable ...
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Oct 15, 2008
Josh
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It is of vital importance that we, as Americans, understand our bitter history with the Islamic Republic of Iran (1979-current), and there is no more important time than now to get down to it. With the war drums beating in Washington and Jerusalem it is imperative that every citizen take a good look at who Iran is, what they were and what they are now, and be able to differentiate the early Republic which took US hostages, blew up US military installations and fomented attacks on Israelis and Am
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Nov 27, 2008
David
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This book is quite interesting and its central thesis--that we can and should do business with Iran as a regional power in the Middle East--is worth exploring. In particular, he says, the Shia are disciplined because they have a clerical hierarchy, and the Iranians have an imperial tradition. The Sunni, on the other hand, are undisciplined and unreliable.
Baer, and ex-CIA agent, has some interesting stories to tell, but the analysis is infuriatingly inconsistent and often superficial. More...
Baer, and ex-CIA agent, has some interesting stories to tell, but the analysis is infuriatingly inconsistent and often superficial. More...
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Mar 25, 2011
David
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This book surprised me. Given the title, I expected Baer to delve into the true evil lurking behind the mysterious nation of Iran. Instead, he exposed the true rationality in much of their foreign policy. That being said, this book was written before much of the upheaval caused by the democracy movement in Iran. I would be very interested in Baer's take on Iran given those events.
That being said, the book gives a very different picture of Iran than I epxected, certainly based on my More...
That being said, the book gives a very different picture of Iran than I epxected, certainly based on my More...
Apr 15, 2009
Dmitri
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The premise of this book is that Iran has come out of their 1979 revolution as a regional power, and the US is in a position in which it must deal with this in one way or another. I was temped to give the book two stars for making this point. However a good portion of the book is dominated by meaningless similes, vague notions, over simplifications, contradictions, and anecdotes. And the remaining pages are a love letter to Shiism.
Some examples:
Page 156- "The Palest More...
Some examples:
Page 156- "The Palest More...
Jul 24, 2011
Corey
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Raises alot of crucial points to ponder about the real face of Iran and why we shouldn't underestimate their military and diplomatic capabilities.
However, Baer's case appears to be a bit fallacious and self-defeating in some places as he seems prone to state incorrect facts and contradicting assertions. Especially those regarding Islam and terrorism and why Muslim terrorists do what they do. He's also even bungled to some extent when educating us about the history of Iran and how it More...
However, Baer's case appears to be a bit fallacious and self-defeating in some places as he seems prone to state incorrect facts and contradicting assertions. Especially those regarding Islam and terrorism and why Muslim terrorists do what they do. He's also even bungled to some extent when educating us about the history of Iran and how it More...
Feb 01, 2009
Tripp
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Robert Baer has an answer for you in his latest book, the Devil We Know. The good news is that he has a good, if difficult to achieve, answer. The bad news is that he often buries it with digressions and some sweeping assertions. Still, he has proposed something I doubt the Obama administration will do, but I greatly hope they consider, which is to ally with Iran.
Sounds crazy, yes? Baer spends a good number of pages arguing that Iran is not some addled theocracy run by maniacs, but More...
Sounds crazy, yes? Baer spends a good number of pages arguing that Iran is not some addled theocracy run by maniacs, but More...
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Apr 22, 2011
Manoa
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Baer doesn't know much about Iran
The New York Times
The Devil We Know Dealing With the New Iranian Superpower By Robert Baer 279 pages. Crown Publishers. $25.95.
As the end of the Bush era draws near, it is clear that its policy of treating Iran as a country that must be weakened, punished and perhaps even overthrown has failed. Suddenly it has become fashionable to say that Iran must be recognized, respected and dealt with as the increasingly powerful nation that it is.
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The New York Times
The Devil We Know Dealing With the New Iranian Superpower By Robert Baer 279 pages. Crown Publishers. $25.95.
As the end of the Bush era draws near, it is clear that its policy of treating Iran as a country that must be weakened, punished and perhaps even overthrown has failed. Suddenly it has become fashionable to say that Iran must be recognized, respected and dealt with as the increasingly powerful nation that it is.
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Feb 12, 2009
Will
rated it: 
Nearly everything the average American has been told about Iran is wrong.
This is a compelling analysis of one of the major players on the world stage. For those who have read much about the Middle East there is not a whole lot of new information here, but Baer has the ability to gather the strings of information and weave them together into a coherent tapestry. Iran has been growing as a regional power. This will continue and there is pretty much nothing we can do about it. This rai More...
This is a compelling analysis of one of the major players on the world stage. For those who have read much about the Middle East there is not a whole lot of new information here, but Baer has the ability to gather the strings of information and weave them together into a coherent tapestry. Iran has been growing as a regional power. This will continue and there is pretty much nothing we can do about it. This rai More...
Jul 21, 2011
Megan
rated it:
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 the 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 More...
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 More...
Dec 05, 2008
Andrew
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I can't say enough about this book. I would recommend this to anyone who even remotely cares about politics, foreign policy, anthropology, sociology, etc. Baer is a former CIA agent, and one of the foremost authorities on the middle-east. The author does a remarkable job of dispelling a whole slew of misconceptions that most Americans have been led to believe regarding Iran.
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Apr 23, 2009
Phil
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While I found his examination and commentary enlightening, I found myself skeptical of a lot of his assumptions. I base this on the fact that, while he has a great deal of first-hand experience in the Middle East and Iran, he is not an accomplished or recognized scholar on the subject. Baer does paint a pretty complicated picture of Iranian foreign policy and modus operandi. Something tells me that it's even _MORE_ complicated than he has boiled it down in 260 pgs.
In short, his recom More...
In short, his recom More...
Feb 11, 2009
Tyler
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it lacks a strong thesis and is forced to rely on digressing anecdotes that aren't really compelling enough to save it. and the prose is generally pretty obnoxious.
also, with no central character or narrative to follow its really hard to keep reading.
also, with no central character or narrative to follow its really hard to keep reading.
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Oct 06, 2010
Matt
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Not a bad book, but this book was published in a time when, basically, everything Robert said looked like it was about to happen. But subsequent events have reduced the credibility of this book - Iran was on the ascendancy in terms of regional power....until it wasn't, after it killed its own people and exposed its true colors as just another typical Middle East dictatorship bent on reserving its power. While American actions have clearly given it a freer hand in the Middle East, the Sunni/Saudi
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Nov 09, 2009
Maria Sundai
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This book was selected by my book club. I was very interested to read it and learn more about Iran. I found some of the content to be very interesting. However I wonder about the validity of the theories as it is one man's opinion. I found the book to be very difficult to read - the topic is complex and the content is dense. Seems to me it could have been streamlined - but perhaps this is just because I don't have much background in middle east matters and had a difficult time getting through ea
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Mar 24, 2009
Altonmann
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An essential book about Iran and the Middle East written by someone who understands the history, culture and outlook of that region from first hand experience. Robert Baer's other books, See No Evil and Sleeping With the Devil are both first rate, but this one tops this others, especially because its focus is on contemporary issues that bear directly on the United States and Iran. It should be at the top
of Barack Obama's and Hillary Clinton's reading lists (assuming, of course, that they h More...
of Barack Obama's and Hillary Clinton's reading lists (assuming, of course, that they h More...
Jul 06, 2011
Jim
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With the Arab Spring currently in the news this is a timely book looking at the emergence of an Iranian superpower. The only Muslim power to take on Israel and win through their proxy Hezbollah in the Lebanon. The book argues that Iran are a power who should be taken seriously and rather than being treated as a pariah state, Iran should be incorporated in the decision making for the region for example in Iraq, where there is a large Shia minority looking east to Tehran for guidance.
Dec 29, 2009
Brian
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p180
"For the last fifteen years, Iran has demonstrated a consistent, coherent strategy: It tests its strategy, vets its proxies, judges who is serious and who isn't, and makes plans accordingly. Whereas the United States, especially under George W. Bush, threw money at untested and unreliable exiles, governments and contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan, who mostly pocketed it. The money is beyond audit, and no one knows how much ended up in the hands of America's enemies."
"For the last fifteen years, Iran has demonstrated a consistent, coherent strategy: It tests its strategy, vets its proxies, judges who is serious and who isn't, and makes plans accordingly. Whereas the United States, especially under George W. Bush, threw money at untested and unreliable exiles, governments and contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan, who mostly pocketed it. The money is beyond audit, and no one knows how much ended up in the hands of America's enemies."
Mar 26, 2009
Desta
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This is the second Baer book I've read and it shocked me in much the same way that See No Evil did when I first read it. The Middle East is such a complex area that is governed by so many more factions than we, as laypeople, can understand. Baer does an outstanding job detailing why Iran is such a threat to the stability of the entire region and suggest some no-so-popular ways in which we might start trying to work toward some sort of resolution.
Aug 05, 2011
Baer seems to have an Iran-centric view of the middle east and his predictions run counter to those prophesied by George Friedman in his book "The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century", but overall this book is a thorough look at the region. He does a good job of explaining the various groups involved in the struggle over there, their ideologies and who's pulling the strings behind the scenes. A good book to read to help you discern the differences between the Shia and Sunni
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Apr 21, 2011
Shawn
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Well considered analysis of what's really been happening in the Middle East for the last 30-40 years. Especially helpful in understanding the real world differences between Shia'a and Sunni Islam, and understanding the trends around violence, types of violence, and the motivations of the major players. Highly recommended.
Jul 26, 2011
This book presents an alternative view on Iran's politics. I think it is a valuable analysis from somebody that worked as a CIA agent in the region for many years. While at times he seems to have "gone native", his analysis is often backed by examples from both the historical record and from the view of the common person.
Nov 15, 2009
Ann
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An excellent review and history of the conflicts of the middle east. Difficult to follow at times for me because of m lack of knowledge about these countries. Baer is a retired CIA agent who ends the book on things that we should and can do to improve our relationship and dealings with the middle east.
Feb 13, 2009
Rob
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I'm right in between 3 and 4 stars for this book. Baer seems to take quite a unique approach to the topic, and it's hard to question his experience in the area. The only thing that bothers me about it is that you have to decide what is factual and opinion because while most of his more important statements are referenced to specific sources, others are simply stated. All in all, I think it was a fantastic look at a country that seems to be greatly misunderstood.
Dec 30, 2008
Kent
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Robert Baer has written a book which challenges the conventional wisdom of Middle East politics and power dynamics. This is a must read for anyone interested in the central foreign policy challenge of our time. Baer presents Iran and Midddle East diplomacy through the realpolitik lens of a former CIA agent. This is not a "think tank" book. His analysis and policy prescriptions are rooted in on the ground actions and intelligence gathering. In so doing, he brings new perspective to the
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Apr 20, 2010
Anna
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I learned so much about Iran and Middle East politics in this book. It makes me want to pull a text that will better explain the religious underpinnings that differentiate Shia and Sunni Muslims, but this is an interesting take on the practical differences between the two groups from a foreign policy/terrorism perspective.
Sep 29, 2009
Vince
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Especially these days with Iran being so prominently in the news, this is an easy-to-understand and very revealing discussion about the country and culture. You hope that there are folks in the administration as attuned as the author to the realities there politically.
Aug 06, 2010
Y.S.
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This book is an incredible wake up call for all those who follow current news about the middle east and more specifically Iran. The author's final solution might be drastic but is scary in its potential obviousness. Robert Baer surpassed himself in this novel.
Aug 01, 2011
Suzan
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Essential reading. A no-nonsense crash course in US/Middle East politics over the past 100 years, written in a straightforward and engaging manner by a man who spent 30 years in the region working for the CIA. If only the consumer media was so informative.
Jul 29, 2011
Nategraf97
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Outstanding book, it presents an alternative foreign policy with regards to Iran than has been used up until the present moment. Brought more insight to what is going on in Iran than what is reported in the news.
Jan 06, 2009
Phil
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Robert Baer + Iran = Amazing. He also suggested "The Mantle of the Prophet" and that alones justifies this book. A fine history of post-Revolution Iran and a strong critique of American foreign policy.
