Trita Parsi’s book, Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran, and the United States, provides an in-depth look at the complex, often covert relationships between Israel, Iran, and the United States. Published in 2007, the book challenges simplistic views of Middle Eastern politics, revealing that behind the public rhetoric and animosity between these countries lies a web of strategic interactions driven by pragmatism, security concerns, and shifting alliances. Parsi, an Iranian-Swedish scholar and founder of the National Iranian American Council, draws on extensive interviews with high-level diplomats and policymakers to present a nuanced analysis of how these countries’ interests intersect, clash, and shape Middle Eastern politics.
The Origins of Israel-Iran Relations
Before delving into the period of hostilities between Israel and Iran, Parsi explores the early, less-publicized history of cooperation between these two countries. In the years following Israel’s founding in 1948, Iran and Israel found themselves with overlapping security concerns. Both countries were non-Arab states in a predominantly Arab region and felt surrounded by potential hostilities from their neighbors. Iran, under the secular, pro-Western leadership of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, viewed Israel as a useful ally in balancing against pan-Arab nationalism, which was a rising political force in the region.
This cooperation was known as the "Periphery Doctrine," a strategy developed by Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion. Under this doctrine, Israel sought alliances with non-Arab states on the periphery of the Arab world, including Iran, Turkey, and Ethiopia. The goal was to counterbalance the hostile Arab states encircling Israel. Although official diplomatic relations were never established, Iran and Israel maintained a quiet yet close relationship through intelligence sharing, military cooperation, and trade.
This cooperation persisted despite significant religious and cultural differences, indicating a pragmatic approach from both countries. For instance, Iran became a major oil supplier to Israel, even while publicly denying it, and Israel provided military and technical support to Iran. This clandestine partnership underscores the pragmatic, interest-driven nature of Middle Eastern politics that Parsi emphasizes throughout his book.
The Islamic Revolution and the Shift in Relations
The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran marked a turning point in the relationship between Iran and Israel. The revolution ousted the Shah and brought Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to power, establishing a theocratic regime based on Shia Islamic principles. Iran’s new leadership denounced Israel as an illegitimate state, labeling it the "Little Satan" (in contrast to the United States as the "Great Satan") and embracing a stance of fierce anti-Zionism as a pillar of its ideology. Iran began to support anti-Israel groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, a Shiite militia dedicated to fighting Israeli influence in the region.
Parsi highlights, however, that even during this period of ideological hostility, there were moments of covert cooperation based on shared strategic interests. For example, during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, Israel provided covert support to Iran, as both countries viewed Saddam Hussein’s Iraq as a greater threat. This assistance was part of a covert program known as the “Iran-Contra affair,” in which Israel facilitated arms sales from the United States to Iran, despite Iran’s anti-Israel rhetoric and supposed ideological opposition to the West. This episode underscores the main theme of Parsi’s book: that geopolitical considerations often take precedence over ideological or religious conflicts in international relations.
The Rise of Iran as a Regional Power and Growing Tensions
With the end of the Iran-Iraq War in 1988 and the Gulf War in 1991, Iran began to reassert itself as a regional power. Meanwhile, Israel had solidified its relationship with the United States, positioning itself as America’s primary ally in the Middle East. This alliance gave Israel access to advanced military technology and substantial financial aid, strengthening its regional position.
As Iran pursued its nuclear program, Israel grew increasingly alarmed. Parsi argues that Israel’s opposition to Iran’s nuclear ambitions was not solely due to the ideological hostility between the two countries but also stemmed from Israel’s desire to maintain its military superiority in the region. Israel feared that an Iranian nuclear capability would diminish its own deterrent power and embolden Iran’s support for groups like Hezbollah.
During this period, the United States became a central player in the Israel-Iran dynamic. U.S. administrations, particularly after 9/11, viewed Iran as a primary threat, partly due to its support for groups classified as terrorist organizations and its opposition to U.S. interests in the Middle East. Parsi examines how American foreign policy shifted under the George W. Bush administration, which took a harder stance on Iran, labeling it part of the "Axis of Evil." This increased U.S.-Israel alignment against Iran, intensifying the trilateral tensions that continue to shape Middle Eastern geopolitics.
The Nuclear Issue and U.S. Mediation Efforts
One of the focal points of Treacherous Alliance is Iran’s nuclear program, which has been a source of contention for decades. Parsi argues that Israel and the United States share similar fears of a nuclear-armed Iran but for different reasons. For Israel, the issue is about regional security and power dynamics, as a nuclear-armed Iran could challenge Israel’s status as the only nuclear power in the Middle East. For the United States, however, the nuclear issue is also tied to non-proliferation concerns and maintaining global order.
Parsi reveals that, behind the scenes, there have been several attempts at diplomacy, often involving U.S. mediation, to alleviate tensions between Israel and Iran. These diplomatic efforts have included backchannel communications and attempts to find common ground on regional security issues. However, such efforts have been undermined by mutual distrust and by external factors, such as Iran’s support for anti-Israel groups and Israel’s opposition to Iran’s regional influence.
One significant missed opportunity that Parsi highlights was Iran’s “Grand Bargain” proposal in 2003, in which Iran reportedly offered to negotiate with the United States on issues including its nuclear program and support for militant groups, in exchange for security assurances and an end to sanctions. The Bush administration, however, dismissed the offer, which Parsi argues was a critical moment that could have altered the trajectory of U.S.-Iran relations. The failure to pursue this diplomatic path reinforced the confrontational stance that defined U.S., Israeli, and Iranian interactions in the subsequent years.
Key Themes and Insights
In Treacherous Alliance, Parsi underscores several themes that challenge common perceptions about Middle Eastern politics:
Pragmatism Over Ideology: Parsi demonstrates that national interests, rather than ideological commitments, often dictate the actions of states. Both Israel and Iran, despite their ideological rhetoric, have shown willingness to cooperate when it aligns with their strategic objectives.
Complexity of Alliances: The book highlights the fluidity of alliances in the Middle East. Israel and Iran were once covert allies but became adversaries as their respective interests shifted. The United States has alternated between viewing Iran as an ally (during the Shah’s rule) and as a major threat post-1979, depending on regional dynamics.
Missed Diplomatic Opportunities: Parsi critiques the failure of diplomacy in U.S.-Iran relations, pointing to missed chances for dialogue that could have prevented or lessened hostilities. He argues that a combination of mistrust, miscommunication, and hardline policies has entrenched the conflict.
The Role of Domestic Politics: Domestic factors in each country, including public opinion, political factions, and leaders’ legacies, also play a significant role in shaping foreign policy. Parsi suggests that domestic politics often complicate international relations, as leaders are pressured to adopt hardline stances to appeal to their constituents.
Conclusion
Treacherous Alliance is a revealing exploration of the tangled relationships between Israel, Iran, and the United States. Trita Parsi’s meticulous research and insider interviews shed light on the underlying pragmatism that drives Middle Eastern politics, demonstrating that security concerns and power calculations often outweigh ideological commitments. By unraveling the history of covert cooperation, missed opportunities for diplomacy, and fluctuating alliances, Parsi’s work invites readers to reconsider the simplistic narratives often applied to the region.
As the world continues to grapple with the consequences of U.S.-Iran tensions and Israel’s position in the Middle East, Treacherous Alliance serves as a reminder of the complexity and nuance underlying international relations in this volatile region. Parsi’s insights emphasize that diplomacy, if pursued earnestly, may hold the key to mitigating conflict—a lesson that remains relevant today as these countries navigate their entangled destinies.
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