The Middle East of 2010, which Stephen Kinzer wrote about in his book "Reset: Iran, Turkey, and America's Future", isn't necessarily the same Middle East of 2017, when I read the book. In the period after the book was published, turmoil in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, the Arab Spring brought changes in several countries, Syria is ravaged by an on-going civil war, ISIS has become a force in regions of Syria and Iraq, prospects for Israeli / Palestinian peace remain poor, Netanyahu has enlarged his power in Israel and settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem have expanded, etc. Turkey and Iran, which Kinzer highlights, have also seen significant changes with Erdogan surviving an attempted military coup, and strengthening his power afterward, and Iran successfully negotiated a deal limiting its progress toward nuclear bomb development in return for lifting of crippling sanctions by Western powers. Even more important, since Kinzer was writing about America's Future influence and partnerships in the region, is the recent election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. So, much of the forward looking thoughts Kinzer expressed in the book needs to be reconsidered in today's environment, and many of his hopes for the future of the region are even further from being achieved than before.
Nonetheless, there still are reasons to read the book, even if recent books have a more realistic viewpoint of the turmoil which continues in the region. The past history of Turkey and Iran, in particular, are still very relevant, and provide a good reviews of the people and the leadership in those countries, as well as the apparent hopes and expectations of the citizens. ( )

What can the United States do to help realize its dream of a peaceful, democratic Middle East? Stephen Kinzer offers a surprising answer in this paradigm-shifting book

Reset: Iran, Turkey, and America's Future by Stephen Kinzer is probably a "recommended read" for Americans interested in Turkey and Iran, but I won't call it a "must-read." Kinzer is a long-time foreign policy writer for several publications.

The recommended reading would be the first half of the book where he details a parallel history of the struggle for democracy in both Iran and Turkey in the late 1800s and the benevolent role some American's played in Iran's struggle. America's later role of overthrowing a democratically-elected government and re-installing the Shah and all related fallout is also detailed. Turkey's modern history including the rise and significance of the AKP is also an important read.

The second half of the book has a divergence into America's role in supporting Israel and some criticisms about Israel for everything from its treatment of Palestinians to its selling arms to South Americans. This tangent seemed very long and unnecessary, like Kinzer had done some research and didn't have a separate book in which to put it.

One of Kinzer's theses is that Iran's underlying habit of democracy makes it a partner the U.S. should work with as a friend. My guess is that he mostly approves the Obama administration's deference to Iran as opposed to the W. Bush administration's policy of confrontation, which Kinzer condemns harshly. As Kinzer sees it, the Ahmadinejad regime reached out the U.S. in 2002, Bush/Cheney slapped its hand away, and Iran has taken a more hostile tone since.

Kinzer lauds Turkey's AKP for its neutering of Turkey's military leadership and greater promotion of freedom of religion. Turkey's economic rise makes it increasingly a power the U.S. should work with. He well notes the cost Turkey has borne of being supportive of the U.S.-led Persian Gulf war in 1991, which I would agree is under-appreciated by Americans.

Kinzer's thesis on Israel, however, is admittedly controversial and unrealistic. He purports that the U.S. should "impose peace" on Israel and Palestine, despite the uproar such a military presence would cause. I guess Kinzer added the material on Israel to illustrate how America has put the bulk of its foreign policy efforts in the wrong place in the Middle East and the effect it has had. If you think a President could sell Congress on putting troops indefinitely into the Middle East again to try and settle the millenia-old conflict once and for all, then you'll like this book. Otherwise...

I found the first half of the book interesting and the second half rather not. I give it 3 stars out of 5. ( )

Reset: Iran, Turkey, and America's Future by Stephen Kinzer is probably a "recommended read" for Americans interested in Turkey and Iran, but I won't call it a "must-read." Kinzer is a long-time foreign policy writer for several publications.

The recommended reading would be the first half of the book where he details a parallel history of the struggle for democracy in both Iran and Turkey in the late 1800s and the benevolent role some American's played in Iran's struggle. America's later role of overthrowing a democratically-elected government and re-installing the Shah and all related fallout is also detailed. Turkey's modern history including the rise and significance of the AKP is also an important read.

The second half of the book has a divergence into America's role in supporting Israel and some criticisms about Israel for everything from its treatment of Palestinians to its selling arms to South Americans. This tangent seemed very long and unnecessary, like Kinzer had done some research and didn't have a separate book in which to put it.

One of Kinzer's theses is that Iran's underlying habit of democracy makes it a partner the U.S. should work with as a friend. My guess is that he mostly approves the Obama administration's deference to Iran as opposed to the W. Bush administration's policy of confrontation, which Kinzer condemns harshly. As Kinzer sees it, the Ahmadinejad regime reached out the U.S. in 2002, Bush/Cheney slapped its hand away, and Iran has taken a more hostile tone since.

Kinzer lauds Turkey's AKP for its neutering of Turkey's military leadership and greater promotion of freedom of religion. Turkey's economic rise makes it increasingly a power the U.S. should work with. He well notes the cost Turkey has borne of being supportive of the U.S.-led Persian Gulf war in 1991, which I would agree is under-appreciated by Americans.

Kinzer's thesis on Israel, however, is admittedly controversial and unrealistic. He purports that the U.S. should "impose peace" on Israel and Palestine, despite the uproar such a military presence would cause. I guess Kinzer added the material on Israel to illustrate how America has put the bulk of its foreign policy efforts in the wrong place in the Middle East and the effect it has had. If you think a President could sell Congress on putting troops indefinitely into the Middle East again to try and settle the millenia-old conflict once and for all, then you'll like this book. Otherwise...

I found the first half of the book interesting and the second half rather not. I give it 3.5 stars out of 5. ( )

Kinzer is an expert on this part of the country. I especially enjoyed his early coverage of Turkey in "Crescent and Star". Kinzer lays out a plan to shift our policies towards these countries. They both have a desire to go back to the days of their initial democratic experiences, but the US has in many ways thwarted this process. The author also lays out a plan for settling the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Essentially, the US has to superimpose a peace process and be willing to back it up. While this book is not an in-depth coverage of these countries, many will find the overview helpful and instead of just reporting he lays out a blueprint for adjusting our relationships with the Middle East countries. ( )