It seems the revolt in Iran has surpassed the so-called “Green” rebellion of a few years back. The Islamic Republic seems in real danger. That’s a good thing. They have cause much harm since 1979.
However, there is an undertone of sentiment for the return of the monarchy. This is concerning. I remember the Shah, he was a despot. He was the reason the Islamic Republic ever came into being. I remember his son, the Crown Prince, was at Reese Airforce Base when I was in Lubbock. He had a reputation for being a complete prick. My roommate played against him in a soccer game and he became loudly indignant whenever touched. My friend laughed in his face.
I will cheer the demise of the Islamic Republic and especially the IRG. I fear the new guy may be just as bad.
They had a reasonably functioning democracy before we installed the Shah. Iran has much to offer the world, culturally, artistically, and economically. I hope they are able to do so.
I have explained to people that there was a time when the Islamic world, Persia in particular, was a center for culture, knowledge and science. They often look perplexed. Iran has had a bad run for a while, but I agree, they have so much to offer if allowed.
This is part of why the U.S. involvement in the area, particularly the attempted nation building in Iraq has always been a failure. The people there simply do not have the same loyalty and collective identity tied to the political government the way Americans do. Borders and governments come and go. They’ve had hundreds of them. The idea that they are “Iranian” because there is a country called “Iran” just doesn’t register with them. The idea of “country” is pretty far down on their list of drivers.
The neighbors across the way are Iranian / Persian. For some weird reason they’ve taken a shine to us and the elder of the two women who live there, I can’t figure out if it’s mother - daughter (which is my lean) or older sister - younger sister, doesn’t really matter, the elder has brought us food. Once she brought a lentil/chickpea/spinach? dish that had some very herbaceous herb in it, fenugreek, tarragon, something like that. It was great, of course. Last night she brought over a big bowl of pasta with small flecks of dried beef seasoned with who knows what, it sort of gives you the experience of eating dried fruit. That makes no sense, I know. But that’s how it is. And she brought over some desserts. I don’t care about dessert, I don’t like sweets, I hate puppies and motherhood and all that, but let me tell you, this weird fig thing she made is un fucking real. I would eat twenty of them, I would eat the whole pan. I don’t understand what they’re doing over there.
Anyway, I hope this rebellion results in a positive regime change because I would sure like to travel to Iran or whatever they’ll end up calling it both for the outrageous architecture and the insane food.
Persia is not like the other places the Arabs conquered. It’s more like China in a way. It doesn’t really matter what outside power/people take over, be they Mongols, Turks or Arabs, the culture and language of the locals overpower in the end. The ones in power assimilate more than the people they rule
I grew up around 16th and Slide, and Pahlavi lived I think somewhere off 22nd and Slide. When I walked home from Coronado, I would go right past his house.
Whenever we would cruise past his swanky home at night, an infrared light would follow our car. I also had several friends who worked at the original 50-Yard-Line Steakhouse in Redbud Square at Slide and 13th. Whenever Pahlavi came in to eat, they would reserve the entire restaurant and only serve him and his guards.
Then the revolution happened and suddenly he was gone.