Forget Regime Change in Iran

For those of us who closely followed the Iranian revolution in 1978 and 1979 – which I did as a young officer in the CIA – the green movement this past summer in Iran always seemed a pale imitation.

That is not to be critical of the enthusiasm of the demonstrators in the streets and their commitment to the cause of a better Iran. They have been stalwart in their fight. But in 1978 and 1979, virtually the entire nation was in revolt against the Shah. The revolution’s leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was one of the most charismatic and determined leaders of the 20th century. Khomeini was never intimidated or irresolute