CHAPTER 5
Overview
I
n a region beset by almost constant turmoil over the past century, few Middle East-
ern countries have faced as many dramatic changes as Iran. Whether in econom-
ics, politics, or social affairs, the Iran of the early twenty-first century bears little
resemblance to the Persia of a century ago after experiencing domestic changes that
also broadly affected the region as a whole. During much of the twentieth century,
Iran often stood at the mercy of foreign powers. Since the Islamic revolution of
1978–1979, Iran has shaped or helped shape major events and trends in the region,
charting its own course in the face of equally determined opposition by its neighbors
and great powers halfway around the world.
The past influence of foreigners continues to be a major factor driving Iranian
behavior. Contemporary political rhetoric in Iran focuses almost as much on the past,
particularly past injustices allegedly foisted on Iran by outside powers, as on the impor-
tant issues of the day. The resentment felt by many Iranians is compounded when it
appears to them that policymakers in Western capitals, particularly in Washington,
have a disdain or ignorance of that history.The Pahlavi Dynasty
The contemporary history of Iran can be charted from the post–World War I years,
when the long-running Qajar dynasty began to crumble at the hands of a strong leader
who insisted on dragging Persia into the modern world. Reza Khan, an army colonel,
gained substantial political and military power in Iran in 1921, and within five years
had succeeded in pushing from power Ahmad Shah, the last Qajar ruler. Reza Khan
took the title of shah for himself in 1925, establishing the Pahlavi family as a new
dynasty that would rule Iran for nearly fifty-three years.
Reza Shah permitted some of the institutional trappings of a democracy—notably
a parliament, or Majlis, and a prime minister—but refused to allow any serious polit-
ical opposition, retaining all governing authority for himself and for the military lead-
ers who formed the core of support for his autocratic regime. The shah put much of375