'Maryam Panah has produced a major work of re-interpretation that is as relevant to those engaged with Iran as it is to students of revolution in general and of the causes, and consequences, of Islamic fundamentalism. Those engaged in negotiation with the newly assertive Iran, be they in Washington or London, Baghdad or Tel Aviv, as well as those engaged in comparative and academic analysis of a fascinating country, would be well advised to read this book.' Professor Fred Halliday, London School of Economics and IBEI (Barcelona), and author of Iran: Dictatorship and Development 'Impressive and timely. Maryam Panah provides a new and judiciously-argued contribution to the study of the international relations of revolution and the international impact of the Iranian Revolution.' Richard Saull, Department of Politics, Queen Mary, University of London Iran is now in the eye of the storm. As events in Iraq deteriorate, a US invasion of Iran looms as a real threat. This book provides a detailed analysis of Iran's recent history, and in particular how the country has been shaped by the 1979 revolution. It is often forgotten that modern Iran is a revolutionary republic that arose out of the overthrow of the old, secular and very pro-western regime. Since the revolution, this has been replaced by an Islamic State. Maryam Panah explores the Iranian revolution in its international context, and examines the different forces at play within the country, and how these conflicting political interests continue to mould the country today and shape its external relations.