Quote (Prox1m1ty @ 22 Oct 2023 19:10)
Actually Iran is an exception to what you described. They have thousands of years of consecutive culture and identity. Unlike Iraq, Afghanistan or modern day Palestine.
I'm not suggesting its a given that Iran could be successful, but they have more of the building blocks required. Far more than those other countries.
Agreed, but I still don't believe that "nation building" by an outside, occupying force would stand a chance in Iran. We Westerners like to focus on the more secular, more educated, more open-minded Iranians, but some solid 40-50% of their population still live in the dark ages. There's a reason why the Iranian revolution of 1979 had popular support, and why the theocratic regime was able to stay in power for 40+ years. If the Mullahs had no noteworthy public support at all, the Iranian people would have gotten rid of them a long time ago.