1979: The Revolution

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In 1979, Iran underwent one of the 20th century’s most consequential revolutions. What began as a wave of protests against a monarchy transformed the country into an Islamic Republic that would reshape its identity and place in the world.

In this episode, Saman Askari traces the arc of power, from the rise of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to the return of Ruhollah Khomeini, and unpacks the forces that fueled the uprising: rapid modernization, political repression, cultural tension, and a deep civilizational pride colliding with national insecurity.

Through this lens, he explores why Iran’s upheavals so often search for saviors and strongmen, why the country struggles to build enduring institutions, and how the ghosts of empire still shape its political psyche to this day.

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