POLI 341 Lecture Notes - Mehdi Karroubi, Shia Islam, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
20 Sep 2013
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Document Summary
Effect of iran"s rise on balance of power in middle east: iran rise shifts us foreign policy to balance out egypt and saudi. Arabia: hezballah and lebanon very influenced by iran. Iran"s geopolitical importance: first state in region that british took interest in territorially large and positioned on key waterways, open to influence from both soviet union and pressure from the west during cold war. Shah was challenged after 10 years: mossadegh, secular and charismatic leader wanted to nationalize the oil fields and take back revenues for the state. Had lots of political support but was quickly removed by a cia-supported coup. 1970s sees economic hardship: more uprisings and expression of discontent, repression of outbursts. 1980-1988- iran-iraq war: longer than either state predicted, makes it hard for new regime in iran to maintain legitimacy and authority results in increasing repression. 2000 sees opening of iran and moderates.
