The Plot to Attack Iran: How the CIA and the Deep State Have Conspired to Vilify Iran

by Dan Kovalik

* “Spectacular!” * –Oliver Stone

The world has a lot of questions about the current state of affairs between the United States and Iran…
 

Genres: History, Middle East, Iran, Politics, United States, Nonfiction, War

224 pages, Paperback

Published June 12, 2018

About the author

Teaches International Law and International Human Rights at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Reviews

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable and essential work of scholarship published in 2018 and regrettably all too relevant today in early 2021. Dan Kovalik has spared no one's sensibilities in recording the litany of lies, falsehoods, deceit and associated atrocities behind the CIA's determined attempt to carry out in Iran what it seems it does best: regime change. The extraordinary methods used and the degree of state-sponsored terrorism involved would cause any right-thinking American citizen to blanche, but of course, the facts are always quite well concealed from the public, with an occasional blip occurring, such as the Contra scandal, and even then, it has little effect on policy.

Well-documented and very well written, it is an appalling but necessary book to read and, personally, I feel for the author who had to study and illustrate the crimes without number, many of which rival the worst war crimes of any period of history. Unfortunately, even with Donald Trump departed at this writing, the Great Game for Iran seems far from over.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kovalik's book is a compelling edition to the growing body of literature challenging Western assumptions related to Iran and the US history there. It recounts the modern history of Iran focused on WWI onward. I hadn't realized that the imperial nature of the US upon Iran during the reign of the Shah had so thoroughly set the conditions that made a violent revolution all but inevitable, by so viciously destroying their communists and the labor party and supporting the Shah in his military quest for absolute power. I knew the Shah was totalitarian, and that Iran has a terrible record on human rights and personal liberties, but I hadn't appreciated how much the US meddling - the overthrow of Mossadegh - fostered those repressive conditions, which endure today under the Islamic Republic. Kovalik nicely includes personal touches to his book which makes it much more powerful.

I was sent this book as a gift some months ago but was only able to retrieve it after the new year 2020, just a day before Trump and Pompeo beat the war drums by assassinating Iran's top military statesman, General Qassem Suleimani. I've always been uncomfortable with the innately conspiratorial connotation of a 'deep state'. However, given the latest tactical intervention in Iraq against Iran, and the reactions of the western media and elites - their sycophantic obsequiousness and echo chamber of lies - the same neoconservatives who led us into a disastrous war in Iraq in 2003 getting plenty of airtime on mainstream channels, it is difficult to believe the US will ever abandon its neocolonial imperialist posture in which the world is our domain, and freedom and democracy are an American exception and not the rule we live by.

[Scott Holstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book and probably quite a bit of truth to it. However, sometimes it's really hard to discern truth as opposed to books and sources just sounding a bit more like conspiracy theories. Of course you have those who argue that even many so-called "conspiracy theories" could be or literally ARE completely correct and accurate, while you have others who passionately debate such ideas, if not throw them out the door. I've read a lot of interesting stuff over the past few years, and a lot of it I do know to be true -- there's sufficient evidence and enough independent evidence to support the assertions made in a number of different areas -- and yet still, many of these are laughed off or blown off by the establishment, often made up of the group of people under question. How convenient. So where does this book sit on this scale? A little hard to say, but I might lean towards more accuracy than hype, and knowing the history of US foreign policy dating back to prior to the twentieth century (if not our entire history), I would not be surprised if this were completely true and accurate. Just the documented facts and history in how this country acquired Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and many more, should be enough to have one feel open to the assertions made in this book. Recommended.

[Michael Morse · Rating 3 out of 5]

My thoughts on this book are two-fold.

First the book is well researched and full of important to understand events and fact patterns if one wishes to have a well thought out view on Western - Iran relations. It is all too easy given lopsided education and media coverage in the US to, through willfulness or ignorants, paint current events in Iran with a singular brush. This book helps fill out that narrative.

Second, while the book is insightful and full well researched, it is in my opinion written in a tone which makes it less appealing to an audience which is not already open minded. If, for some reason, a US nationalist was to pick up the book, perhaps due to the use of phrase "Deep State", it would not be long before the authors more combative tone may cause the book to be put down. Obviously, if you have some understanding of the topic, or the ability to discuss ideas with others who do not agree with you this is a non issues. It is not hard to separate out the authors personal feelings from the facts, if it is ones intention to do so in good faith.

All this being said, I would recommend the book to friends of mine I know can critically think and are interested in a more rounded world view.

[James Fitzejerald · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the worst researched books I have ever read. He uses propaganda-type information that has (since 1979) been debunked to further his anti-West ideology. Cherry picks bad things about U.S.-Shah policy, and omits war and UN crimes committed by the current regime.

As an Iranian, I am deeply offended by what kind of wretched things he has to say. Without explicitly saying it, Dan praises Khomeini (who tortured teenagers, killed 10,000+ in summary executions, continued the Iran-Iraq war aimlessly for 6 years after 1982, killing hundreds of thousands) for standing up to the 'Imperial Americans!'

The author should stop writing books. I cannot find more words to express my frustration.

[Andres Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Dan Kovalik's writing and perspective, but I feel it was a disservice to include "Deep State" in the subtitle of this well-researched book. It makes the book sound needlessly conspiratorial when it is in fact well annotated and academic, while still entirely accessible to the casual reader.

A long, meandering view of American/Western meddling and aggression against Iran can be found in this book. At times when the author pivots into talking about US relations with Nicaragua or North Korea, the book feels a little unfocused, but the information on Iran and the Middle East are thorough and highly valuable. The context provided by this book sheds a lot of light on my understanding of the 12 Day War between Iran and Israel earlier this year (though the book only covers events through 2017-18). Would recommend as a short and sweet crash course on the subject.

[Hugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatively short run through of history of relations between Iran and the west. Essential context and history that's been erased from the mainstream narrative. Iran is not the aggressor and Kovalik provides ample evidence to show they are the victims of western interference and aggression. However, the comparisons with the supposed crimes of communist states aren't helpful though I can see why it's been done to draw out the hypocrisy of western narratives

[Eric Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

good, to the point writing, well researched. v Chomskian . Suggest this to people who may not be well versed in geopolitics.

[Wx7yamaha To · Rating 5 out of 5]

Necessary reading.

The difficulties that have engulfed the middle eastern countries are all based on the West's thirst for oil. There is no consideration for the peoples who occupy this region and now because of America's greed millions are dying or and being forced to flee north where the Europeans don't help or want them either. One can only describe this calamity as "between a rock and a hard place "