This book examines how, for 47 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has projected power indirectly -- not through declared conventional war, but through a "franchise" of proxy groups including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and militias across Iraq and Syria. It offers a critical, fact-based narrative of how Iran funds, arms, and directs these networks while maintaining deniability, why sanctions and diplomacy have repeatedly failed to change the regime's calculations, and how the events of 2025 and 2026 became a watershed -- while leaving the underlying system largely intact.
Iran's strategy relies on a network of allied armed groups -- often called the "Axis of Resistance" -- that it supports rather than fighting directly itself. The book focuses on the major ones:
Iran typically provides financial support, advanced weapons technology, and strategic direction while maintaining enough distance to preserve deniability. By embedding these groups within civilian infrastructure, it raises the moral and political cost of any Western or Israeli response -- effectively turning restraint into a weapon.
The author, Robbie Michaelson, is a seasoned journalist and political analyst with decades of experience in Israeli and international affairs. He has served in the IDF, reported from Europe, and holds a Master's in International Relations from McGill University. His unique life story and deep personal connection to Israel shape the compelling voice of this book.
To confront a costly pattern of Western misjudgment. The book is meant to inform, challenge, and engage readers -- citizens, policymakers, and the wider public -- about how the repeated choice to treat the "cost of acting" as higher than the "cost of waiting" allowed Iran's strategic advantage to compound over four decades, and what that means for the future.
Both. Chosen Blindness is now available in paperback and as an eBook (ePub) through Amazon, and -- via IngramSpark's global distribution -- through other major online retailers, bookstores, and libraries.
You can purchase both the paperback and the eBook through Amazon, as well as through other major online retailers and bookstores supplied by IngramSpark's distribution network. You can also order directly from this website, where a secure payment gateway ensures safe transactions.
Yes! If you sign up for our mailing list, you'll receive a free downloadable excerpt (PDF).
The book is a critical analysis supported by facts, footnotes, and real-world events. While it takes a firm stance on the strategy and record of the Islamic Republic, it invites readers to engage with the material thoughtfully, regardless of their political position.
Each eBook is licensed for personal use only. However, we encourage you to spread the word and invite others to purchase their own copy to support independent journalism and research.
You can reach out directly via robbiemichaelson.com. We welcome constructive feedback, media inquiries, and opportunities for speaking engagements or interviews.
Yes. The book is published under Truth Dispatch LLC, which is dedicated to publishing works that promote transparency, democratic accountability, and civic engagement, particularly in relation to Israel and Middle Eastern affairs.
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