Word: powerful
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1970-1979
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...repressions were hardly on the same scale as those of this century's worst tyrants. Probably the Shah's greatest failing was a megalomania that led him to think he could haul Iran from the camel age to the heights of industrial and military technological power in one lifetime, while retaining the political structure of an absolute feudal monarchy...
Though the foundations did do some charitable work, the Shah invested most of their money in income-producing assets. In a new book, Iran: The Illusion of Power, British Journalist Robert Graham published a 3½-page list of holdings of the Pahlavi Foundation that he was able to track down as of the end of 1977 and that he estimated to be worth $2.8 billion to $3.2 billion. They included total ownership of Bank Omran, one of Iran's largest banks; 80% ownership of Bimeh Melli, the nation's third largest insurance company; and full or partial...
...Shah's motives in tolerating the corruption, and in guiding the network of investments of the Pahlavi Foundation, were less personal aggrandizement than a desire to retain tight control of the Iranian economy and win the loyalty of subordinates by lavish financial favors. Nonetheless, the Shah in power lived very well, to put it mildly. He shuttled among five palaces in Iran. Journalist Fallaci, interviewing the Shah in 1973 in one of them, noted that "almost everything in the place was gold: the ashtray that you didn't dare dirty, the box inlaid with emeralds, the knickknacks covered...
...Carter to convince the world of American resolve. As a nation we come face to face again with this marvelous media machine we have created, which can enlighten so totally and swiftly. It can also complicate and distort these extraordinary situations that now arise all over the globe as power shifts and collides...
...Long pause.) Well (pause), Ghotbzadeh there is a Shah. Once upon a time, there was a Shah who was supported, nourished by good ol' America. That country trained these torturers, that country brought him to power...