Bitter Friends, Bosom Enemies:
Iran, the U.S. and the Twisted Path to Confrontation

Bitter Friends, Bosom Enemies recounts the troubled history of the United States and Iran, with a focus on the last ten years of missed opportunities for reconciliation and cooperation. It breaks new ground in describing the Clinton administration's failed efforts to improve relations and the Bush administration's rejection of serious Iranian overtures in the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks. Instead of dividing our enemies, Bush policies have united them, with frightening consequences for the entire Middle East. The book draws on six trips to Iran over the past decade, interviews with top Iranian decisionmakers -- including the current and last two presidents of Iran -- and access to U.S. decisionmakers, including Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell. It also contains chapters on Iran's nuclear program and the key constituencies in Iranian politics, including the Revolutionary Guards, the clerics and Iranian youth. A must-read for anyone trying to understand Iran and what U.S. policy toward that country should be.

Available at Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com and other booksellers.

Reviews:

New York Review

Middle East Journal

The Economist

Newsday

Click here to view a video of the book launch.

The Atlantic Council:

"The Iran Stalemate and the Need for Strategic Patience"

AolNews:

Recent stories by Barbara Slavin are available at AolNews.com

Foreign Policy:

"Watching Iran" December 6, 2010

"Hostage to Events" July 27, 2010

"A Washington Sage Leaves the Scene" September 29, 2010

Inter Press Service:

"Sanctions Forced Iran to Slash Bloated Energy Subsidies" January 13, 2011
"Time Runs Short for Progress on Iran Nuke Talks " December 7, 2010

USA Today:

Archives of stories by Barbara Slavin are available on the USA Today website.

The Washington Quarterly:

"Should Israel Become a Normal Nation?" October 2010