Yesterday Rio de Janeiro was selected to be the host of the 2016 Summer Olympics, only 2 years after Brazil hosts the 2014 World Cup. I remember reading that Tehran had been selected in the late 70s to be the host of the 1984 Olympics. Obviously, the Olympic Committee decided to change it after the revolution happened, with a war happening and Iran being extremely anti-West.
It makes me wonder what could've been had the revolution taken a different course. Suppose Khomeini stuck to his guns and said that mullahs cannot be a part of the government as he had originally said, and instead supported giving full power to the likes of Bazargan and the nationalists to run the show with his full backing. I'm not talking about a Supreme Burritoship and Presidency side by side, I'm talking about Khomeini going to Qom and telling the people to simply support Bazargan and his government. He says that he'll only act as a religious leader and speak up if serious crimes like torture and corruption occur.
It's very possible that the summer Olympics still would've been in Tehran, and that if Iran had a booming economy that continued growing from the Shah's era when it was growing at 10% a year, that by now Iran would be a first world nation with per capita income levels at $30,000+ a year. It's also possible that the World Cup in 2002 could've been held in Iran rather than South Korea/Japan, especially if Iran's TM kept on improving and kept going to WCs after 1978, maybe even going all the way to the semis like Turkey did.
Here's how it could've happened:
1) Relations with the US aren't cut but Bazargan tells Carter that Iran wants more respect and can't simply be a pawn in the Cold War game, but wants to have an independent status in this. Carter wouldn't be happy but he'd accept this because Bazargan would have the full backing of Iran's population to pursue a more independent line.
2) Relations with Israel would be cut off out of respect for the Palestinians, but Iran wouldn't support or even be any active part of that issue whatsoever. But once the Palestinians in 1994 accept and recognize Israel, just like how China and India at that moment decided to open diplomatic relations with Israel, Iran would do the same while continuing to be neutral in that whole issue.
3) Iran's military would stay in tact from the Shah's time and with the exception of a few Generals who were part of torturing and killing people, the professional military would stay as strong and large as it was before 1979. As a result, they would simply shift their allegiance to the new government and display a show of force on Iran's border with Iraq to warn Saghcum from doing anything. As a result, Saghcum wouldn't invade Iran, while diplomatic relations with the US would mean that Iran would continue buying the latest and best weapons from the US, but also now take a more active part in their production and modification to protect Iran's borders. The US would accept Iran's new active role because Iran, though neutral in the Cold War, still would be warmer with the US than with the Soviets because of the population being generally against communism. As a result of Iran's strength, the Soviets also wouldn't have invaded Afghanistan, and Osama would be in a mental institution in Saudi Arabia right now instead of a cave in Pakistan. Plus, Saghcum also wouldn't have dared invade neighboring countries, especially since Iran's military strength would only continue to outpace Iraq's.
4) Iran would convince the IOC to keep the Olympics in Tehran in 1984 and would have a great display for the world, with many tourists coming in and over half a million jobs created for the event. Team Melli would continue going to every single World Cup every 4 years after 1978, and in 1994 in the US it would go to the semis and lose 1-0 against Brazil. From then on, it would always be a top-10 nation in the world and have its starting-11 all playing in top clubs in Europe, with Iran's own league consistently winning Asian club championships. Iran would stage the 2002 WC and end up winning it in penalties against Italy, after having already won 9 Asian Cups in a row. Ali Daei would be the World Player of the Year and retire, with Ali Karimi being bought by FC Barcelona for $40 Million from AS Roma. Kia would be playing in Bayern Munich, of course.
5) By 2009 Iran has a population of 60 Million, with a GDP of $2.7 Trillion and a per capita income of $45,000. Iran has exported its Saipa and Paykan cars to the US where they are already rated better than Kia or Hyundai. Major Silicon Valley companies have invested Billions in Iran, as have the World's biggest financial corporations. Iran's stock market is the second biggest in Asia(after Japan) and the Rial which was 700 to the Dollar in 1979 has appreciated in value to 500 to the Dollar. Dubai is never even close to competing with Iran, since any major investor has more favorable business opportunities in Iran with a more open-minded and educated population that's extremely friendly towards tourists.
6) Iranians wouldn't need a Visa to any country in the world, including the US if they're going on vacation. In fact, Iran would have the opposite problem it has now, with thousands of Arabs and those from the former Soviet states like Turkmenistan illegally entering Iran for jobs, much like the Afghans today. Some other countries, like Russia, eastern European countries, India, and China and some southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, would have immigrants actually legally moving to Iran for work, many marrying Iranians and staying.
7) Siemens and GE have helped Iran to make over 30 nuclear power plants throughout the country, with Iran allowed to enrich without any supervision whatsoever. Iran decides to go the Japan route and have breakout capability of nuclear weapons but to not develop a stockpile because of not wanting to create an arms race in the region. Everybody but a couple Arab countries ignores the issue and doesn't care, because they're not worried about Iran doing something crazy or nukes falling in the hands of terrorists.
8) Iran is one of the most respected countries in the world, and is a winter and summer holiday destination for most Europeans and even many Americans. Its economy is growing at more than 5% a year and will have the world's 4th biggest economy after the US,China,and Japan in 10 years time. The standards of living and education levels are some of the highest in the world. Religion is a part of private life yet greatly respected, with all Iranians revering the role Khomeini had to play in helping Iran get out of dictatorship into democracy and freedom. Iran also plays roles in Africa in making peace between different tribes or factions, and also was able to play a role in the 90s when Yugoslavia was breaking apart to stop the genocide of Bosnians and Croats, helping form a peaceful solution with the help of the UN. Iran played a positive role in Chechnya in advising the Russians of the role of Saudi Wahhabis who were the main threat with their ideology, and so helped avert war by being trusted by both the Russians and Chechens. China even recently asked for Iran's help with its Uighurs, and helping them to be more accepting of Chinese society. Iran helped mediate and find a solution since both the Muslims and Chinese government accepted Iran. Recently Netanyahu asked Iran to be a neutral broker in the peace process but Iran said that first Israel has to stop all settlements as a gesture of good will and then it's willing to help both groups negotiate a lasting peace. Iran's President speaks at the UN to a packed audience, who give a standing ovation to his speech. He goes on CNN and other media outlets without picking his nose and looking like a homeless bum, but instead wearing a Bijan suit and talking about how Iran will be the #1 country in solar energy production in 5 years time and why it's important to put aside greenhouse gases for the sake of the planet. The name Iran will conjure up images of class and elegance, rather than terrorism and disgustingness, throughout the world. Hollywood will make films celebrating the Persian Empire rather than denigrating it with the movie 300. Iran will eventually be a part of the UN Permanent Security Council which is expanded with Germany and Brazil as well. Iran will make sure that the media doesn't DARE to use the fake name of Arabian Gulf. Iran has managed to make Saghcum be no more of a threat to the world than Baghdad Bob was. Because of Iran's power and how it's shown it doesn't want to get involved in the internal affairs of its neighbors by firing up the Shia populations, a lot of other Arabs like the Saudis are on much friendlier terms with Iran. The DeBoer twins join the Iran Premiere League after they retired. A lot of ex-European players are in the IPL now. Esteghlal, coached by Hejazi, even made it to the final of the World Club Cup before losing to Liverpool with Hashemian coming on as a sub for Liverpool to score the winning goal.
I can only imagine what Iran would've been if the revolution of 1979 had taken a different course and truly been about Freedom and Democracy instead of ending up the way it has today. The possibilities would've been amazing...
It makes me wonder what could've been had the revolution taken a different course. Suppose Khomeini stuck to his guns and said that mullahs cannot be a part of the government as he had originally said, and instead supported giving full power to the likes of Bazargan and the nationalists to run the show with his full backing. I'm not talking about a Supreme Burritoship and Presidency side by side, I'm talking about Khomeini going to Qom and telling the people to simply support Bazargan and his government. He says that he'll only act as a religious leader and speak up if serious crimes like torture and corruption occur.
It's very possible that the summer Olympics still would've been in Tehran, and that if Iran had a booming economy that continued growing from the Shah's era when it was growing at 10% a year, that by now Iran would be a first world nation with per capita income levels at $30,000+ a year. It's also possible that the World Cup in 2002 could've been held in Iran rather than South Korea/Japan, especially if Iran's TM kept on improving and kept going to WCs after 1978, maybe even going all the way to the semis like Turkey did.
Here's how it could've happened:
1) Relations with the US aren't cut but Bazargan tells Carter that Iran wants more respect and can't simply be a pawn in the Cold War game, but wants to have an independent status in this. Carter wouldn't be happy but he'd accept this because Bazargan would have the full backing of Iran's population to pursue a more independent line.
2) Relations with Israel would be cut off out of respect for the Palestinians, but Iran wouldn't support or even be any active part of that issue whatsoever. But once the Palestinians in 1994 accept and recognize Israel, just like how China and India at that moment decided to open diplomatic relations with Israel, Iran would do the same while continuing to be neutral in that whole issue.
3) Iran's military would stay in tact from the Shah's time and with the exception of a few Generals who were part of torturing and killing people, the professional military would stay as strong and large as it was before 1979. As a result, they would simply shift their allegiance to the new government and display a show of force on Iran's border with Iraq to warn Saghcum from doing anything. As a result, Saghcum wouldn't invade Iran, while diplomatic relations with the US would mean that Iran would continue buying the latest and best weapons from the US, but also now take a more active part in their production and modification to protect Iran's borders. The US would accept Iran's new active role because Iran, though neutral in the Cold War, still would be warmer with the US than with the Soviets because of the population being generally against communism. As a result of Iran's strength, the Soviets also wouldn't have invaded Afghanistan, and Osama would be in a mental institution in Saudi Arabia right now instead of a cave in Pakistan. Plus, Saghcum also wouldn't have dared invade neighboring countries, especially since Iran's military strength would only continue to outpace Iraq's.
4) Iran would convince the IOC to keep the Olympics in Tehran in 1984 and would have a great display for the world, with many tourists coming in and over half a million jobs created for the event. Team Melli would continue going to every single World Cup every 4 years after 1978, and in 1994 in the US it would go to the semis and lose 1-0 against Brazil. From then on, it would always be a top-10 nation in the world and have its starting-11 all playing in top clubs in Europe, with Iran's own league consistently winning Asian club championships. Iran would stage the 2002 WC and end up winning it in penalties against Italy, after having already won 9 Asian Cups in a row. Ali Daei would be the World Player of the Year and retire, with Ali Karimi being bought by FC Barcelona for $40 Million from AS Roma. Kia would be playing in Bayern Munich, of course.
5) By 2009 Iran has a population of 60 Million, with a GDP of $2.7 Trillion and a per capita income of $45,000. Iran has exported its Saipa and Paykan cars to the US where they are already rated better than Kia or Hyundai. Major Silicon Valley companies have invested Billions in Iran, as have the World's biggest financial corporations. Iran's stock market is the second biggest in Asia(after Japan) and the Rial which was 700 to the Dollar in 1979 has appreciated in value to 500 to the Dollar. Dubai is never even close to competing with Iran, since any major investor has more favorable business opportunities in Iran with a more open-minded and educated population that's extremely friendly towards tourists.
6) Iranians wouldn't need a Visa to any country in the world, including the US if they're going on vacation. In fact, Iran would have the opposite problem it has now, with thousands of Arabs and those from the former Soviet states like Turkmenistan illegally entering Iran for jobs, much like the Afghans today. Some other countries, like Russia, eastern European countries, India, and China and some southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, would have immigrants actually legally moving to Iran for work, many marrying Iranians and staying.
7) Siemens and GE have helped Iran to make over 30 nuclear power plants throughout the country, with Iran allowed to enrich without any supervision whatsoever. Iran decides to go the Japan route and have breakout capability of nuclear weapons but to not develop a stockpile because of not wanting to create an arms race in the region. Everybody but a couple Arab countries ignores the issue and doesn't care, because they're not worried about Iran doing something crazy or nukes falling in the hands of terrorists.
8) Iran is one of the most respected countries in the world, and is a winter and summer holiday destination for most Europeans and even many Americans. Its economy is growing at more than 5% a year and will have the world's 4th biggest economy after the US,China,and Japan in 10 years time. The standards of living and education levels are some of the highest in the world. Religion is a part of private life yet greatly respected, with all Iranians revering the role Khomeini had to play in helping Iran get out of dictatorship into democracy and freedom. Iran also plays roles in Africa in making peace between different tribes or factions, and also was able to play a role in the 90s when Yugoslavia was breaking apart to stop the genocide of Bosnians and Croats, helping form a peaceful solution with the help of the UN. Iran played a positive role in Chechnya in advising the Russians of the role of Saudi Wahhabis who were the main threat with their ideology, and so helped avert war by being trusted by both the Russians and Chechens. China even recently asked for Iran's help with its Uighurs, and helping them to be more accepting of Chinese society. Iran helped mediate and find a solution since both the Muslims and Chinese government accepted Iran. Recently Netanyahu asked Iran to be a neutral broker in the peace process but Iran said that first Israel has to stop all settlements as a gesture of good will and then it's willing to help both groups negotiate a lasting peace. Iran's President speaks at the UN to a packed audience, who give a standing ovation to his speech. He goes on CNN and other media outlets without picking his nose and looking like a homeless bum, but instead wearing a Bijan suit and talking about how Iran will be the #1 country in solar energy production in 5 years time and why it's important to put aside greenhouse gases for the sake of the planet. The name Iran will conjure up images of class and elegance, rather than terrorism and disgustingness, throughout the world. Hollywood will make films celebrating the Persian Empire rather than denigrating it with the movie 300. Iran will eventually be a part of the UN Permanent Security Council which is expanded with Germany and Brazil as well. Iran will make sure that the media doesn't DARE to use the fake name of Arabian Gulf. Iran has managed to make Saghcum be no more of a threat to the world than Baghdad Bob was. Because of Iran's power and how it's shown it doesn't want to get involved in the internal affairs of its neighbors by firing up the Shia populations, a lot of other Arabs like the Saudis are on much friendlier terms with Iran. The DeBoer twins join the Iran Premiere League after they retired. A lot of ex-European players are in the IPL now. Esteghlal, coached by Hejazi, even made it to the final of the World Club Cup before losing to Liverpool with Hashemian coming on as a sub for Liverpool to score the winning goal.
I can only imagine what Iran would've been if the revolution of 1979 had taken a different course and truly been about Freedom and Democracy instead of ending up the way it has today. The possibilities would've been amazing...
