The Iranian Revolution at 30
The Iranian Revolution at 30
The Iranian Revolution at 30
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Dedic<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
Andrew Parasiliti<br />
It is only fitting th<strong>at</strong> “<strong>The</strong> <strong>Iranian</strong> <strong>Revolution</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>30</strong>” begin with an introductory essay<br />
by R.K. Ramazani and th<strong>at</strong> this project be dedic<strong>at</strong>ed to him. For 55 years, Professor Ramazani<br />
has been a teacher and mentor to many scholars and practitioners of the Middle<br />
East. His body of work on Iran is unrivalled in its scope and originality. Many of his<br />
articles and books on <strong>Iranian</strong> foreign policy are standard works.<br />
For over a quarter century, Dr. Ramazani also has written with eloquence and conviction<br />
of the need for the United St<strong>at</strong>es and Iran to end their estrangement and begin direct<br />
diplom<strong>at</strong>ic talks. Ramazani has no illusions about overcoming three decades of animosity,<br />
but he believes th<strong>at</strong> reconciling US-Iran differences is vital to resolving America’s<br />
other str<strong>at</strong>egic challenges in the Middle East — including in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the<br />
Israeli-Palestinian conflict — and to bringing sustainable peace and security to the<br />
region.<br />
Professor Ramazani’s service to both the Middle East Institute and to the University of<br />
Virginia has been recognized time and again. As one of Dr. Ramazani’s former students,<br />
and as a former director of programs <strong>at</strong> MEI, I can personally <strong>at</strong>test to his deep commitment<br />
to both institutions. His life-long contribution to the Middle East Institute was<br />
recognized <strong>at</strong> MEI’s Annual Conference in October 1997, when he was presented with<br />
the Middle East Institute Award. Currently, Dr. Ramazani serves with distinction on<br />
<strong>The</strong> Middle East Journal’s Board of Advisory Editors. At the University of Virginia, his<br />
teaching and scholarship embodied Thomas Jefferson’s precept for the University th<strong>at</strong><br />
“Here we are not afraid to follow truth, wherever it may lead, nor toler<strong>at</strong>e any error so<br />
long as reason is left free to comb<strong>at</strong> it.”<br />
It is in th<strong>at</strong> spirit th<strong>at</strong> this volume is dedic<strong>at</strong>ed to R. K. Ramazani.<br />
Andrew Parasiliti is Principal,<br />
Government Affairs-<br />
Intern<strong>at</strong>ional, <strong>at</strong> <strong>The</strong> BGR<br />
Group in Washington, DC.<br />
From 2001-2005, he was<br />
foreign policy advisor to US<br />
Sen<strong>at</strong>or Chuck Hagel (R-<br />
NE). Dr. Parasiliti received a<br />
Ph.D. from the Paul H. Nitze<br />
School of Advanced Intern<strong>at</strong>ional<br />
Studies, Johns Hopkins<br />
University, and an MA from<br />
the University of Virginia. He<br />
has served twice as director<br />
of programs <strong>at</strong> the Middle<br />
East Institute.<br />
10 <strong>The</strong> Middle East Institute Viewpoints: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Iranian</strong> <strong>Revolution</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>30</strong> • www.mideasti.org
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