Historical Dictionary of Iran
John H. Lorentz
The Scarecrow Press, Inc.
Many countries are reputed to have a strategic geographic location. But there are few of which this is truer than Iran, known in earlier times as Persia. Located between Europe and Asia, astride the Middle East, its location is unique. Yet, while this should have brought benefits, and sometimes did, it has more often been a disadvantage due to invasions or domination by other countries, whether the earlier Great Powers or the United States and Soviet Union during the Cold War. This will doubtlessly explain its fear of foreign influence, which has become particularly noticeable under the Islamic Republic. Yet, while it can be an irritant for some other countries, and what its government and clerical rulers do is not even always appreciated at home, Iran is far too important—with its abundant oil resources, large population and political and religious dynamic—to ignore, let alone keep on the margins of the international community.
It is obviously much easier to understand what is going on in present-day Iran by looking into its long history, the ... | 
