Just as in physics, there is a cause and effect in history

One of the most fascinating habits of the human race is the way weinterpret "history" to fit in with our preconceptions. It is theeasiest thing in the world to do, and one of the most deceptive.

A classic instance of this distortion is our popular view ofpresent-day Iran. Most Americans will tell you solemnly that theregime of the shah was far preferable to the brutal and regressiverule of the mullahs.

What is ignored in this estimate is precisely the fact that itwas the corruption and injustice of the shah's administration thatmade the revolution at first possible, and then inevitable.

In the same way, we believe that the czarist government inRussia was …