Why it matters:
The Islamic Revolution is framed not just as a local uprising, but as a pivotal challenge to the global power structure of its time, with lasting effects.
A senior Pakistani analyst argues that Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution fundamentally rejected the forced choice of the Cold War era.
What he's saying:
Syed Nasir Shirazi, of Pakistan’s Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, told Iran Press that the world was then locked in a binary U.S.-Soviet struggle where neutrality seemed impossible.
The revolution’s slogan “Neither East nor West” presented a third path based on Islamic governance, directly confronting both American and Soviet imperialism.
Despite pressure to align with Moscow to offset the Shah’s Western ties, Imam Khomeini insisted on an independent course.
Between the lines:
Shirazi’s analysis highlights the revolution’s symbolic power as an act of defiance, positioning it as an inspiring model of resistance despite decades of wars, sanctions, and regional instability.
The bottom line:
Nearly 47 years later, the revolution’s legacy is seen by its supporters as proof that it’s possible to challenge global hegemony and assert ideological sovereignty.
Go deeper:
Pakistani Analyst: Iran’s System Shows Strong Public Acceptance
Hossein Amiri - Mahboubeh Habibi
