“The social success of the Shah in the galaxy of international despots is the end result of a careful campaign, premised on two vital ingredients: snobbery and cash”

“One should not reduce other people to a stereo­typical core: Too simple, too ideological, too racist. But for Persia, it seems, re­duction serves.”

Before Mohammed bin Salman, the elite feted the Shah of Iran, despite all the blood on his hands