The Iran Threat: President Ahmadinejad and the Coming Nuclear Crisis

by Alireza Jafarzadeh

Book Overview

From the controversial expert who brought Iran's nuclear program to the attention of the world in 2002 comes a searing expos of the inner workings and plans of Iran's mullahs. With access to dissident groups inside Iran, Alireza Jafarzadeh traces President Ahmadinejad's radical roots and involvement in terror attacks to his impact on Iran's weapons program. He reveals new details on Iran's meddling in Iraq and its broader goals for the future of...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0230601286
• ISBN13: 9780230601284
• Release Date: February 2008
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive and authoritative; a must-read on Iran

The Iran Threat is a fairly comprehensive and well-referenced book on the Iranian mullahs' nuclear program. I became interested in reading the book partly because of the strong reviews it has received by distinguished individuals, but also because of the significance of the topic itself. The author, Mr. Jafarzadeh, is an authoritative figure on Iran, on the Iranian mullahs' nuclear plans, and on the Iranian mullahs' involvement in international terrorism and nowadays the destructive role they play in destabilizing Iraq. Mr. Jafarzadeh was indeed the first to reveal the mullahs' nuclear program in 2002; he was also the original source in exposing many of the Iranian mullahs terror acts, for example, the bombing of a Jewish center in Argentine in 1994. Thus he has earned his reputation as a well-informed and reliable source. The book is organized in five parts. Each part is divided into multiple chapters. A brief review of each part follows: I. A Study in Terror. This part is organized in three chapters in which a comprehensive background is provided of the Iranian mullahs internal repression, the so-called" reform movement and its role in Ahmadinejad's rise, and the true meaning of Ahmadinejad's "presidency." Detailed, entertaining, and well-documented background is provided. II. Iran's Grand Plan. The author elaborates on the Iranian' regime fundamentalism ideology and its plans to impose a backward "Islamic" rule on Middle East and elsewhere. This part is well-referenced and numerous examples, quoting the mullahs' officials, are given. We learn that we cannot ignore Ahmadinejad's rhetoric like his desire to wipe out Israel. He and the mullahs are very serious in expressing their wishes. III. The Secret Insurgency. This part reviews the mullahs' terror network in Iraq (which is widely exposed). The author provides details of the flow of Iranian Revolutionary Guards and infiltrators into Iraq. Staggering but well-referenced numbers are given. IV. March to the Bomb. Here the author discusses the mullahs' history of deception, extensive militarizations, concealment and lack of cooperation with the international community, and Ahmadinejad's role in advancing the mullahs race for the bomb. V. If and When. The author discusses the consequences of a nuclear Iran and defines a viable Iran policy that will result in change in Iran but without military confrontations. The last chapter converges with an important question: how to deal with the mullahs? The author is inherently against war and military confrontations (he gives many reasons throughout the book why war is not an acceptable or viable option). The author also gives many reasons why engagement/appeasement will fail (look what happened during the Khatami's "moderate" presidency and all the support it received from the international: many authors were murdered in serial killings, more women were stoned to death, the mullahs' nuclear program was accelerated, and the road for Ahmadinejad's

Compelling Account beyond Iran's Nuclear Threat

It is about time that we see books like this on the market. Every American needs to read this book to understand the real threat of Tehran's regime. The author clearly shows that Iran's threat is not just limited to its nuclear threat. For too long we have been fixated on the nuclear issue and failed to see Ahmadinejad's regime's full picture that includes ideological drive and regional hegemony. I now understand fully why Jafarzadeh exposed the nuclear threat. This book tells me we are dealing with a much bigger danger than a nuclear bomb and as an Iranian, I consider Jafarzadeh a courageous and patriot who took this issue on and brought it to light. Jafarzedeh...you've got my vote, thank you and good job.

Timely, Bold and Insightful; Goes Beyond the Either-War-Or-Appeasement Debate

Jafarzadeh's account of Iran's mischief-making, heightened since Ahmadinejad's presidency, is well-constructed and makes a compelling case for the urgency of international efforts to isolate Tehran rulers. His book, `the Iran Threat,' is filled with details it nevertheless gives a very consistent bird's eye view of the multi-faceted and multi-pronged threats posed by Iran. What makes Jafarzadeh's book stand out is that he is not just a long-distance analyst of Iran in Washington. He has been in the political trenches of efforts to deal with Iran's nuclear issue and its meddling in Iraq. Jafarzadeh's policy recommendations are courageous, bold, refreshing, and, most importantly, specific. He urges policymakers to go above and beyond the either-war-or-appeasement debate. A staunch believer in the vast - albeit mostly untapped - potentials of Iranian opposition, Jafarzadeh sees democratic change possible in Iran without the need for foreign military action or the shame of succumbing to appeasement of tyrant ayatollahs. Jafarzadeh's groundbreaking revelations on Iran's nuclear program, later confirmed by the IAEA's inspectors and other international nuclear agencies, set in motion a series of international diplomatic efforts to stop this program. In retrospect, given the extent of danger posed by a would-be nuclear-armed Iran, Jafarzadeh's 2002 revelations could very well be viewed as a pivotal contribution to peace and security in the world, and to the best national interests of Iranian people.

Wow!

This is the best book on Iran at the strategic level - period. There is nothing else that comes close. If you are interested in peace in the middle east then read this book. Mr Jafarzadeh helps us to understand the threat coming from Tehran. Theme of the book is fascinating. He is proponent of regime change and yet opponent to war. I highly recommend this book as a fresh look into the Iran's Nuclear program, constantly taking the reader into unexpected areas and populated with facts.Hats off to the author.

Read this compelling book if you want to understand Iran and Iraq

This timely book is the only one that explores Ahmadinejad's history, his current policies, and Tehran's vision for the future. With unrivaled access to the intelligence networks of Iran's dissident groups, Alireza Jafarzadeh gives a higly detailed account of Tehran's role in Iraq and its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Crucially, Jafarzadeh also provides concrete policy options for responding to Iran's terrorist activities and suppression of its own population. Necessary reading for anyone wishing to understand Iran, Iraq, and the Middle East.