Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran, and the United States

Trita Parsi's "Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran, and the United States" examines the complex, often paradoxical relationships between Israel and Iran, particularly how their perceptions of each other shifted due to geopolitical changes, rather than solely ideological ones. The text traces this evolution from their historical ties and a period of strategic cooperation, influenced by the Cold War and the threat of Arab nationalism, to their eventual rivalry following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the defeat of Iraq. It highlights how both nations strategically utilized the "other" as a perceived threat to advance their own regional influence and secure U.S. support, often at the expense of U.S. foreign policy objectives. The book also details clandestine dealings, attempts at rapprochement, and the role of domestic politics and external events like the Iran-Iraq War and the 2006 Lebanon War in shaping their enduring animosity.