The Persian Puzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America.

• Author: Meise, Alexandra A.
• Position: Book review

THE PERSIAN PUZZLE: Tim CONFLICT BETWEEN IRAN AND AMERICA Kenneth Pollack (New York: Random House, 2004), 539 pages.

Though published in 2004, the subject matter of Kenneth Pollack's Persian Puzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America could not be more timely. Pollack looks at the Iran-U.S. relationship from an historical perspective, elucidates the sources and evolution of its strained nature, and concludes with policy recommendations for a diplomatic solution to the "Iran nuclear crisis."

Pollack's tone is non-apologetic and non-excusatory--he explains each country's policy decisions, but does not seek to justify them. His "inside man" status (he spent twelve years at the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Council) does not prevent him from admitting mistakes the United States has made regarding Iran and the region, and he is no less forgiving of Iran.

Rather than follow the typical format of books on Iran, Pollack discusses the histories and policies in parallel of both Iran and the United States, leading the reader to see how they dovetail. He traces Western interference and squabbles through Iranian territory around the first...