Reading and Misreading the Iranian Revolution - Dr Roham Alvandi

Why did the Iranian Revolution catch so many in US and UK Governments by surprise in 1978-79? Why were so many enthusiastic about the fall of the Shah? Why did so many Western observers - including Michel Foucault, Fred Halliday, and Edward Said, misread Ayatollah Khomeini?
This lecture examines readings and mis-readings of the Iranian Revolution in Europe and the United States from the perspective of today’s uprising in Iran. Are we repeating the analytical mistakes of the past?
This lecture was recorded by Dr Roham Alvandi on 14 November 2023 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London
Roham is Associate Professor of International History at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
www.gresham.ac.uk/speakers/dr...
The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:
www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/i...
Gresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham's mission, please consider making a donation: gresham.ac.uk/support/
Website: gresham.ac.uk
Twitter: / greshamcollege
Facebook: / greshamcollege
Instagram: / greshamcollege

[@nitinrpal]

Great lecture which escapes all political and social biases

[@timclark8596]

really fascinating talk, such an important issue to understand, some extremely interesting points raised 👍

[@BarinKayaoglu]

One of the best (if not the best) historians of modern Iran.

[@paulheydarian1281]

Really? 🙄How so? 🤔

[@asds12321]

Greetings, i write to recommend to u the best historian i have found A great american named james perloff, president of the john birch society His level of understanding blew me away

[@bardiaranjbaran3056]

Great talk. Interesting details were pointed out.

[@sidsmiff]

A fascinating talk. Thank you!

[@shortridgegregory]

I really enjoyed this. Thanks.

[@eostro73]

This makes my stomach turn. So many similarities with the US today. I hope we can learn from what happened in Iran and fast

[@regularshiftrs3676]

Im here to understand better what you are saying. Seems to have a dangerous similarity

[@ramuz-ff3cf]

verdadero mucho gracias

[@afroohar]

Thank you Dr. Alvandi, While I have some disagreements with you on your interpretation of Iranian history from 1950-1978, I would say overall you have very accurately laid out a cautionary story that most people, especially most Westerners are unaware of. Thank you for your work.

[@jasongray4517]

Fascinating lecture. Learned a great deal from it.

[@AFara-wg9fz]

Did you know there were organizers taking students from campuses to protest in Washington DC and in Berlin?

[@Ricky-oi3wv]

Ayatollah 'Animal' Blundetto had the last laugh.

[@ArmyJames]

i can't even say his name.

[@DF-ss5ep]

I am honored to be joined by MEN

[@BillSikes.]

We still live under the legacy of the Iranian revolution, contemporary islamism began with Khomeini, its alive and well and growing all over the Western world like a malignant virus 🦠

[@Edo9River]

No part of the issue is acceptable moderation of capitalistic materialism, and acceptance of responsibility to the community.

[@5aban1340]

I have a serious problem with this gentleman saying that Iranians wanted an Islamic state!!! That's about as wrong as it gets. Maybe he is or was one of them but that's a crass statement.

[@domsilva5016]

I would love to watch him talk about the enlightment on the west support of the Zionism regarding decades of agression against The Palestine. Please talk about it.

[@PauloAdriano-zo2ng]

Why? Why does everything have to focus around the Palestinians and the Israelis? There are worse things happening in the Sudan right now, much worse than in Gaza.

[@Edo9River]

I think you have to say Shii Islam.

[@AFara-wg9fz]

What an uneducated speaker that is advertising for Mosadegh who illegally made a cue and closed democratic parliament.

[@leebarry5686]

The revelation is great which prevented secularization of Iran.

[@ziyu8061]

are you joking or serious?

[@user-kq6oe4wq9u]

Troll

[@PauloAdriano-zo2ng]

Revelation? or Revolution? Was that a typo? or was it deliberate?🤔