Iran: The Long Road to War

In this Conflicted Conversation, Thomas speaks with Ali Ansari, Professor of Modern Middle East History at the University of St Andrews.

Prof. Ansari discusses:

The depth and antiquity of Iranian culture

His childhood experiences inside the Shah's inner circle

The Shah's biggest mistake

How the revolution could have better built upon what it inherited

The huge incompetence and corruption that has undermined Iran's political economy

How the new Supreme Leader is the IRGC's man

The clarity of America's military aims alongside the opacity of its political aims

The real weaknesses of the Iran Nuclear Deal

How Iranians inside Iran feel about the regime and the war

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Conflicted is a Message Heard production.

Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren.

This episode was produced and edited by Thomas Small. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices