The Twilight War: The Secret History of America's 30-Year Conflict with Iran - Geopolitical Book for History Buffs & Political Analysts

This was one of the most informative books I have read on a regional issue. In this case, the clash between a country, Iran, which was once a major empire with the same superpower proportions as present day America. Originally known as Persia this land over the centuries has seen invasion by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Turks, Mongols, to name a few. It is historically noted that Iran has the distinction of being the home to one of the worlds oldest continuous major civilizations dating back to 4000 BCE. Over these many centuries the land has undergone many foreign occupations and dynasties. This book guides you through the more recent history of Iran and it's state religion, Shi'a Islam. The 1979 Iranian Revolution when Iran became known as an Islamic Republic.By the 17th century Europeans were encroaching on this Empire and than in 1908 the British discovered oil. During WWI the country was occupied by Britain and Russia who withdrew in 1919 after their revolution. In WWII the country was again occupied by British,Indian forces and Soviet forces in the north part of Iran. By 1945 the Soviets had withdrawn with the promise of oil concessions, the British continued to hold sway of the country.By 1953 America enters the picture through political actions controlled by the CIA with support from British MI6 who assist in a coup. At this point with the aid of the USA Iran is ruled as autocracy under the shah which reinforces an international consortium of foreign oil facilities for the next 25 years splitting the profits among themselves and Iran. By 1963 civil unrest fostered by Islamic elements begin to be felt and this is when the shah's secret service becomes really active in assassinations and torture. By the 1970's Iran had imported arms from the west and had become the regions most powerful military force. By 1973 the shah nationalizes his oil industry. By 1979 things really begin to change with the return Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the shah flees to the USA. In November 1979 Iranian mobs seize the American embassy, America becomes the great Satan and all of the USA's prior dealing and policies have the "Blow-Back effect and the two countries become antagonistic, America placing international sanctions on Iran. In 1980 Iraq invades Iran, and America aides and supplies Iraq with arms and intelligence, sometimes for it's own benefit, aid is given to both sides at different times. Author David Crist has obviously gone to great lengths to research the mostly unknown (Luke-warm) war that the two countries engage in for 30 years. He covers the history of events, political climate, espionage, sinking military naval vessels, aiding in the killing of American soldiers both in Iraq and Afghanistan. The on and off game of diplomacy, the Israeli factor, control of the Persian gulf, international gamesmanship, assassinations of Iranian scientists, drone attacks, killing of Iranian forces engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan, Americas sorry history of missed opportunities and bad choices. This book has it all and is easy reading. By the time you finish, you will fully understand this Twilight War that most American's know little of other than to mistrust Iranian motives, rightfully so. The author points out the animosity of the Arab world against "the haughty" Iranians and the difficulty in dealing with their regime.The author illuminates America's participation in this 30 year long war and it's not pretty. I highly recommend this book which is quite timely considering that the American public had spent the last 5 years hearing about Iran's quest for a nuclear weapon and threats to destroy the very existence of the State of Israel which would touch of a regional war of horrific consequences, Basically the book points out that Iran wants the U.S. out of the region and the U.S. Navy out of the Persian Gulf.