The View from Istanbul: Why Iran Might Be a Threat
This was a very old plan. Shortly after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, communists diligently planned to establish a Marxist state in one or more regions of the Middle East. The aspirations of Marxist planners are evident throughout the twentieth century until the present day.
As Marxism spread throughout the Middle East, Arab nationalism came to the fore with a racial tinge and pan-Arabism resulted. As Ba'athist dictators eventually controlled Syria, Egypt and Iraq, Marxism at once became the norm in these states.
The situation with predominantly Shiite Iran was different. It had pro-Western policies under the leadership of Shah Reza Pahlavi. Marxism did not favor the Shah’s administration. At this point, the communists of the French secret state entered the equation. Khomeini was supported and in 1979 was installed in an “Islamic revolution.” What kind of...