A Single Roll of the Dice

More about the book

This work offers a thorough assessment of the diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran during President Obama’s initial years. It poses critical questions about the effectiveness of the Obama administration's engagement with Iran compared to the previous Bush administration's military-focused strategy. The analysis delves into how the U.S. can better navigate the complexities of its relationship with Iran. Trita Parsi, a seasoned Middle East foreign policy expert, conducted interviews with 70 high-ranking officials from the U.S., Iran, Europe, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Brazil, including key negotiators from both nations. Through these insights, Parsi reveals the untold narrative of the negotiations during Obama’s presidency, exploring the strategic calculations behind their interactions and the underlying reasons for their ongoing impasse. He argues against the prevailing belief that diplomacy was fully pursued, suggesting that Obama's approach was a gamble that required immediate success. The analysis emphasizes that persistence and perseverance are essential in negotiations—qualities that were lacking for both Iran and the U.S. in 2009, ultimately impacting their diplomatic outcomes.