The Iranian Labyrinth: Journeys Through Theocratic Iran and Its Furies [Paperback]

Dilip Hiro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 10, 2005

As Tehran faces a crisis in its escalating showdown with the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding its nuclear program, renowned Middle East expert Dilip Hiro clears the way through the labyrinth that defines today's Islamic Republic. In a country stereotyped as fundamentalist by America, Hiro finds a contradictory land—where black chador-clad women are the majority at universities, Iranian films are shown at international festivals, and human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi is a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Drawing on Iran's rich history, its vast oil and gas reserves, and its unique strategic importance, Hiro reveals a complex nation whose theocratic rulers are struggling to prove that Islamic democracy is a viable and enduring social system.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Nation Books (July 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560257164
• ISBN-13: 978-1560257165
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,179,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful, September 10, 2005

By 

Dr. Lee D. Carlson (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Iranian Labyrinth: Journeys Through Theocratic Iran and Its Furies (Paperback)

It can now be taken as an axiom that the Western press cannot be trusted to report honestly the events of the Middle East as they are occurring and how they have occurred in the past. Journalism has been morphed into a game of politics and self-aggrandizement on the part of journalists. The study of history has been exposed as a game of promoting a particular worldview, and historians have exhibited an extreme bias that is sometimes admitted but frequently is not. For these reasons the study of historical events has taken on particular importance at the present time. Those who sincerely desire an accounting of history in most cases must undertake the study themselves. In addition, the prevailing political climate dictates that an accurate picture of history be available, in order to not be subjected to the mental tyranny of propaganda. Every citizen must now become a historian, and must practice extreme skepticism towards any assertions that are put into print that claim to be accurate appraisals of past events. Documents and sources must be checked meticulously, and no apologies must be given if research indicates that historical events do not conform to prevailing ideologies.

This book, written by one of those who have been "on the ground" in the Middle East, attempts to give an overview of the history of Iran in the twentieth century. The accounting that he gives sounds plausible, and as a whole the book seems to be free of any extreme bias or hidden political agendas. However, it should be remembered that the author has viewed the Middle East through finite time windows, and therefore his appraisal of the events he has observed may not reflect the true situation. The fact that the book must be kept at a manageable length for publication also dictates that the author must employ selective filters on the history he is attempting to analyze. The author though gives many references for those readers who want to pursue further studies on the history of Iran. In view of the current tensions between Iran and the United States, it is imperative that an understanding of this tension be put into proper historical context. Some in the United States government have called for war against Iran. To find out whether such a war is justified entails that a thorough understanding of Iranian history be obtained.

Some of the many historical topics that the author discusses in the book include:

1. The reasons for the invasion of Iran by Iraq in September 1980.
2. The origin and functioning of the Islamic Majlis.
3. The White Revolution, initiated by Shah Pahlavi, in 1963. This consisted of a "six-point" program involving agrarian reform, the nationalization of the forests, the sale of public factories to compensate landlords, suffrage for women, profit-sharing in industry, and the eradication of illiteracy.
4. The overthrow of the Mussadiq government by the CIA in 1953. This was the beginning of the heavy influence and manipulation of the United States into the affairs of Iran. The author reports that U.S. military and economic aid from the years 1953 - 1956 totaled $414, 000, 000. In addition, he reports that thousands of Americans moved to Iran during this time, which caused further alienation of the Iranian populace.
5. The life history of Muhammad Mussadiq al Saltane and his rise to the leadership of Iran in 1949.
6. The nationalization of the oil industry in 1950. The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company was nationalized, resulting in the CIA-sponsored coup against the Mussadiq government.
7. The history of the Reza Shah regime from 1925 - 1941.
8. The history of the Muhammad Reza Shah regime from 1941 - 1979. After installed by the CIA in 1953, the author reports that the Shah's persecution against the opposition resulted in the deaths of 5.000 Iranians as well as the exile of 50,000. The author discusses the formation of the Sazman-e Aminyat Va Ettilaat-e Keshavar (Organization of National Security and Intelligence) or Savak. The Savak organization was discussed by some members of the Western press as being one of the reasons for the overthrow of the Shah in 1979, due to its atrocious conduct towards many Iranian citizens. The author reports that Savak maintained strong ties to the CIA as well as to the Israeli foreign intelligence agency. The author also reports that Savak agents engaged in the deliberate attack against religious seminaries, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people. The Shah also engaged in poll rigging and persecution of political opponents. One of those undergoing persecution and arrest was the Ayatollah Khomeini. The Shah had absolutely no qualms about using the military to suppress uprisings, with as many as ten thousand people reportedly being killed in the Tehran Grand Bazaar in what has been called the Khordad 15 Uprising.
9. The life and history of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The author gives an interesting and detailed description, and the reader obtains insight into the religious views of Khomeini. Particularly interesting is his belief in an ethics that is not rule-based, i.e. not a prescriptive "do and don't" ethics for believers. The goal of all believers must instead be to oust corrupt officials and eliminate repressive regimes, and then replace them with ones that are ruled by just Islamic jurists. Once obtaining power in 1979, Khomeini unfortunately did not hesitate to use it to eliminate rivals, thus proving himself to be the moral equivalent of the man he replaced.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And no cheese at the end!, December 12, 2005

By 

Stephen A. Haines (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Iranian Labyrinth: Journeys Through Theocratic Iran and Its Furies (Paperback)

Politics in any nation can appear confused, especially to outsiders. In an nation where religion is an influence, the complications grow intense. When religion dominates and theocracy threatens in a secular world, the twists and turns can only be described as Byzantine. Dilip Hiro makes a valiant attempt to impart what he's learned of Iranian politics and society in this book. It wasn't an easy task and Hiro has spent much time in Iran to understand it. He explains his revelations in a readable account. The reader is warned, however, that following his account isn't done easily. He's a journalist, but this isn't something to be consumed like the Sunday supplement in your local newspaper.

Hiro reminds us of Iran's special position in the world. It's not just another "Middle East" nation. Its history stretches back many millennia, even before it was the heart of the Persian Empire. That Empire's strength came largely from the area being a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange. Although the Persian Empire faded, the region was a factor in later imperial ventures, with the Ottomans in the 17th Century. Parcelled out by the European Allies during World War I, "Iran" was literally the creation of the British Foreign Office. The discovery of oil ensured Iran was rarely free of foreign influence thereafter. Whenever Iran attempted to shake off the oil-thirsty West, first the British, then the Americans, took steps to quell nationalism and restore "stability" and the free flow of petroleum. The most glaring of these intrusions was the overthrow of the Mossadegh government by the CIA, replacing a democratically elected government with a royal figure, the Shah.

The central theme of the book is Iran's Revolution of 1979. It marked the end of an era and set in train events unresolved today. The American installed Shah was deposed and a "Leader", ayatollah Khomeini, became the spiritual head of the nation. Although the West has viewed the Khomeini years as a time of theocratic dictatorship, Hiro clarifies both the Leader's role and its political manifestations. Iran's parliament, the Majlis, was still openly elected. The religious issues leading to newspaper closures, candidate rejection and clerical representation in the Majlis, were anything but uniform during the Khomeini years. Beyond purely domestic politics, the outbreak of war with Iraq, with the United States openly supporting Iraq, led Khomeini to modify many Quran-based social impositions. It was more important to Khomeini to foster Iraq nationalism than to impose religious dogmas on society. The result is a roller-coaster-ride reading experience as Hiro takes you through the rise and fall of political movements, often contradictory ambitions among even the clerics and the use of university students as political barometers.

A less manipulated, but equally influential group in Iranian society, are the bazaar market vendors. Staunch advocates of unrestrained commerce, the vendors proved highly influential in determining the course of Iranian politics. Quick to resent government interference in their activities, their protests have often led to yet another shift in policies and party structure. The impact of bazaar political strength will seem outlandish to the Western reader, but Hiro shows that it is an essential aspect of the Iranian domestic scene. Family and other relationships extend out from this complex enclave in Teheran, with alliances and networks reaching throughout the nation. This is one reason why long-standing political parties such as we know cannot last in Iran. The shifting emphasis of trade, interacting with religious and social forces, leads to the continual readjustment of political outlook. As a "lobby" to government, the bazaar has immense influence and gives to meaning to the term "government by the people".

The reader of this book must not expect free-wheeling analysis nor quick, simple answers to questions like "How do we deal with Iran?" Hiro is a journalist. He has compiled a wealth of factual information and presented it free of judgements. He is aware of Iran's continued interaction with the United States. Most readers will not be aware of Iran's support of the US in its campaign against the Taliban in Afghanistan. The clash of traditional and modern in Iran has remained out of sight for most. This book reveals many aspects of that contested issue in Iran. Although Hiro is hardly the sole information source on Iran, there is much to learn from reading this book. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More people should read and review!, January 3, 2007

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Peter Gruskin (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Iranian Labyrinth: Journeys Through Theocratic Iran and Its Furies (Paperback)

I am surprised this book has so far only received 3 reviews. It is well worth reading. Dilip Hiro is a scholarly author whose work deserves careful reading and analysis--especially in times like these. Hiro's work is incredibly comprehensive, and he is no novice to Middle East studies (his book "Iraq" is also wonderful). He is on the left politically but I hesitate to mention it because he makes lfew normative comments.

I looked long and hard for a recently published history of Iran and I was not disappointed in this one. Iran is one of those countries that Americans unfortunately dont know much about. It is also a country which will be of prime importance in the future, especially in regards to US foreign policy. People have some terrible misconceptions about Iran, and this book will set them straight. They are not a free and democratic country, but there are some things you will read that will blow your mind. Things that are totally contrary to popular convention. Hiro goes to great lengths to show Iran as a mature and civilized place (they are one of the oldest civilizations in the world!).

The book starts in 1501 and goes to present (2005). It talks about oil, geo-politics, the Iran-Iraq War, culture, the Shah, democracy, US intervention/foreign relations, and more. One of the most surprising things I learned is that Iranians love American culture. There are many more. Very comprehensive, well written and well researched. A must read for anyone interesting in learning about Iran and current events.