What We Missed at the Revolution

Since 1979 numerous scholars and journalists have tried to explain why the Iranian people revolted against their monarch. Most books touch on the same themes: A diffident monarch pretending to be a strongman faced an unexpected revolt and wilted. America was too distracted by other crises and too confident in the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to focus on the monarchy's collapsing ramparts. And yet, the blame game goes on. Who lost Iran has been one of Washington's favorite blood sports. Jimmy Carter blamed the CIA; the Republicans blamed Carter, and the Iranian exiles blamed everyone but themselves.

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