The Devil We Know

Dealing with the New Iranian Superpower

De: Robert Baer

Narrado por: Ted Barker

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A frighteningly prescient look at Iran’s unchecked growth as a hidden superpower, and the threat the nation will soon pose to the United States—and the world.

“The most important book on the Middle East to appear in many years”—Thomas Powers, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Intelligence Wars

As ex-CIA operative Robert Baer masterfully shows in The Devil We Know, Iran has maneuvered itself into the elite superpower ranks by exploiting Americans’ false perceptions of what Iran is—by letting us believe it is a country run by scowling religious fanatics, too preoccupied with theocratic jostling and terrorist agendas to strengthen its political and economic foundations.

The reality is much more frightening.

Baer mixes on-the-ground sleuthing and interviews with key players to demonstrate that Iran, far from being a wild-eyed rogue state, is a rational actor—one skilled in the game of nations and ruthlessly effective at thwarting Western colonialism. For U.S. policy makers, the choices have narrowed: either cede the world’s most important energy corridors to a nation that can match us militarily with its asymmetric capabilities (which include the use of suicide bombers)—or deal with the devil we know. The alternative—to continue goading Iran into establishing hegemony over the Muslim world—is too chilling to contemplate.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A masterpiece . . . Baer’s brilliant analysis of Sunni versus Shia, Arab versus Iranian, and Christian versus Muslim is shocking, revealing, and provocative. Baer lifts the veil of Western media hype and challenges the simplistic solutions offered by ‘experts’ whose vision is blurred by the past. Through his knowledge, long-term experience, and ability to assess the changing landscape of this vital region, he not only shatters the foundations of conventional thinking, but also offers a practicable blueprint for turning things around.”—John Perkins, author of the New York Times bestseller Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

“The most important and original book on the Middle East to appear in many years. Baer’s subject is the growing power of Iran; his goal is ending the pattern of American failure; his message is that we’ve been backing the wrong horse. This is a book McCain and Obama should ponder.”—Thomas Powers, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Man Who Kept the Secrets and Intelligence Wars

“The Devil We Know, Bob Baer has once again peered into the future and has brought back uncomfortable truths that won’t satisfy any partisan. But his book does force us to do something that, unfortunately, doesn’t come naturally to the chattering classes. Think.”—James Risen, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration

“An important text studded with keen insights into a nation about which America remains dangerously misinformed.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Timely and provocative . . . adds an important perspective to a crucial international debate.”—Publishers Weekly

“Challenges conventional wisdom . . . [a] timely and provocative analysis.”—Denver Post

Baer at his best

Unprecedented insight in the middle east power politics from the man who knows it the best. I wish the guys at the State Department had half the brains of Baer, we'd be in much better shape in Iraq by now.
Must read for anyone with an interest in World affairs.

Blueprint for Middle East solutions

Baer illuminates with steely reality the dead end we are at now, and a road map to restoring some sanity to the Middle East by putting rational actors at the forefront.

Conclusions

Great objective assessment of the overall situation of Iran in the Middle East. Disagree with the conclusion and approach to solving the Iran predicament. A better approach would be to take away Iran’s banner aka fighting for the Muslim oppression by resolving the Palestinian crisis for example with the help of the Saudis. Open up the Arabic world to Israel. The Saudi’s would rather do that then let the Persians take over the Arabic world. I don’t think dealing with Iran as another super power is beneficial for America. They will continue to fight America by proxy wars just exactly as China is using North Korea. We’re only going to get more rogue nations out there.

Great read

Filled with lots of great information to help the reader see the vast complexities of the Middle East. Author seems to be very pro Iran with a lot of experience in the region.

shocking

the book is an eye-opener on what's happening in the Middle East in the past 30 years .
yet a former CIA is a man that has blood on his hand and he talks about it even.

it'll give you an idea about how does the US looks at other countries. and how the u.s. is only interested in what is good for the u.s. not what is good for the world as they claim.

the Arthur looks at the Arabs and Sunni Muslims as trash . and that the u.s. should collaborate with Iran for the best of the u.s.