The Rise of Islamic Fundamentalism in IranOver the past century, the Islamic Republic of Iran (formerly known as Persia) has experienced colonialism, the end of a dynasty, the installation of a government by a foreign power, and a little over three decades ago, the popular uprising and a revolution led by clerics. These events preceded what could be considered the world's first Islamic state, as politics and fundamentalist religion are inextricably linked in contemporary Iran. Looking at Iran from the mid-1940s to the present, one can trace the path that led to the rise of fundamental Islam in Iran during three distinct periods. The first is that which began with the rise of secular nationalism and the decline of Islam. In the second, the secular and pro-West government finally gave way to Islamic revival in the form of a takeover by radical clerics and disillusioned fundamentalist youth; both motivated and led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The domination of Iran by these fundamentalist clerics then led to the formation of the fundamentalist Islamic theocracy that governs present-day Iran. The current government has democratic appearances, but all real power is in the hands of the supreme leader, an ayatollah chosen by the Assembly of Experts, a group of clerics chosen by the Guardian Council. With the Iranian revolution, political Islam was born, with fundamentalists still holding the reins of power in Iran today. The coming to power of Reza Shah Pahlavi ended the 131-year rule of the Kajar dynasty and established the Pahlavi dynasty in 1925. Much to the dismay of not only Muslim clerics, but also the general population, Reza Shah Pahlavi leaned heavily toward lay... middle of paper ......perts, a group of clerics chosen by the Council of Guardians; which are selected in part by the supreme leader. With the Iranian revolution, Islamic fundamentalists firmly hold the reins of power in a nation-state, and the world waits to see what happens next. Works Cited Ayoob, M. (2007) The Many Faces of Political Islam: Religion and Politics in the Muslim World. Michigan, Ann Arbor: University of Michigan PressMilton-Edwards, B. (2005) Islamic Fundamentalism Since 1945. New York: RoutledgeNasr, VR (2006). The Shiite revival. New York, NY: WW & Norton Company Nesvaderani, T. (2010). Iranian youth: the protests are not over. United States Institute of Peace; Peace Brief 36, 1-5 Retrieved from http://www.ciaonet.org.ezproxy1.apus.edu/pbei/usip/0019110/f_0019110_16369.pdf