Fateful Triangle: The United States, Israel, and the Palestinians (1983)

Noam Chomsky's 'Fateful Triangle' is an excellent book on the subject of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Chomsky expertly explains the origins of the conflict along with some of the major issues involved, such as the many “peace talks” between Israel and the Palestinians, and the many acts of violence that have been perpetuated by both sides. While the book delves a little bit into the history of the conflict, the book's main purpose is to expose the United States' role in the conflict, with it's enormous economic and military aid to Israel, and the U.S.'s view of Israel as its arm in the Middle East.

Nearly half of the book is devoted to detailing accounts of Israel's wars against Lebanon and their aftermath. Chomsky's bone-chilling narrative highlights several acts of brutality and savagery by the Israelis against the Palestinians. The bombs that were dropped on homes and hospitals, and the fact that these weapons were supplied by the United States, the rounding up of Palestinians and placing them in prisons and detentions centers where more humiliation, torture, and brutality would take place.

This book is not for the faint of heart. It is fairly heavy reading, and I would also suggest to anyone interested in reading this book to find a good primer on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict prior to reading this book. Chomsky pretty much just dives into the complexities of the issues without first explaining much of the background information, which is excellent for anyone with basic knowledge of the conflict, but can be confusing for anyone first beginning their study of the issues.

Other than the vast amounts of detail, another thing I liked about this book was Chomsky's excellent research. He relied primarily on Israeli sources, and eye-witness testimony, a fact which helps to expose many misleading statements by both the Israeli and American press and statements by both governments.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about this topic.

Since this is such a heated topic I'd like to end my review with a personal note. According to Noam Chomsky, a common ploy by supporters of Israel against its critics is to accuse them of anti-Semitism (as a matter of fact, this recently happened to me not long ago). I'd like to state up front that in no way, shape, or form do I harbor any dislike for Jews. What I dislike are the acts of conquest and brutality against a group of people that have been carried out by the Israelis for years. If anyone would like to discuss the facts, which are so well laid out in Chomsky's book, I'd be delighted. However, facts must be cited, and the ad hominem left at the door. ( )

After reading several of Chomsky's books, I have more and more respect for this author and thinker. He is a meticulous historian and political analyst, and his critics should read his works before attacking him.

This book is a compendium of facts, figures, quotes, and analysis that comprise the truth behind the complicated politics of the Middle East. Chomsky is an honorable follower to the likes of Orwell, and cuts through all the media campaigns, falsehoods, lies, and general misinformation pertaining to the Middle East and its conflicts.

The book is a tough read, and is more like a disgorgement of information from a mind that has researched the topic at hand for years with meticulous effort. Around half of the book follows general Israeli policy and politics, as well as Palestinian politics and American foreign policy. The other half is about these policies as they pertain to the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and Chomsky knows his stuff, there is no doubt about that. Every claim, every statement, every quote, and every fact is scrupulously cited. He is not in the business of convincing or converting, he is distinctly in the business of telling the truth the best he can.

As for the people who question why they should read this book, as much of it is about an old war, and old politics?
My answer is because it is important. Without this knowledge how can you possibly have an opinion regarding the on goings in the Middle East? These facts and the figures in the political scene were the same as they are now. To understand the conflicts, you must give this book a read. I cannot recommend it highly enough. This book should be required reading in all of the West.

A+ ( )

The first thing prospective readers should know is that this is not (despite the implication of the title) a general review of of Israeli-Palistinian-US relations. Almost half of the book is taken up by a detailed analysis of the 1982 war in Lebanon. This would have made sense in 1983 when the book was originally published, but 20 years it later makes for a skewed focus. The first few chapters provide some rather spotty background history. And the additional material in the new addition is essentially a few slightly reworked Z Magazine articles which are not integrated into the rest of the book. Even for the events focused on, this book is not designed as a complete history. Rather, in typical Chomsky fashion, it is designed to be an antidote the to incomplete history provided by the mainstream media. The style of the book is also classical Chomsky; an almost stream of conciousness flow of information demolishing the standard historical explination and bolstering his own. However, put together, these two factors make the book difficult to follow for a reader not already well versed in the events.

Despite these flaws, I am generally persuaded by his analysis. However, after slogging through this book I felt that the lasting knowledge I will take from it could have been fit into 100 pages rather than 550. So unless you have a serious interest in the 1982 war in Lebanon this probably isn't the book for you.

Given recent events, Fateful Triangle unfortunantly takes on renewed relavence. ( )