Rich and Adam discuss the history of Iran, Israel and the Middle East to put context to the recent air strikes this past weekend and to try and understand what the end goal is for Trump, Netanyahu, and Co.

[00:40] The Writers of our Simulation Love Soap Operas

[02:45] Early Modern Iran, Fallen Empire Under Great Power Pressure

[04:58] Pahlavi Dynasty Founded, Modernization of Iran

[06:58] 1941 Invasion and Abdication

[09:28] Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi and a New Postwar Parliamentary Iran

[10:43] Mossadegh and the Oil Nationalization Showdown

[13:30] CIA-MI6 Coup and the Shah’s Shift back to Autocracy

[15:49] SAVAK and the Police State

[17:45] Shah’s Decline and Backlash

[19:53] Israel and Early Iranian Ties

[22:08] Israel and Iran: Twin Pillars of US Middle East Policy

[22:49] The CIA, Mossad, and SAVAK: Blowback

[23:33] Yom Kippur War, OPEC, and the Peak of Iranian-Israeli Cooperation

[26:32] Revolution Turns Tables

[27:47] Israel, Iran Contra and Proxy Wars

[28:57] Pan Islamism vs Periphery Doctrine

[30:46] Modern Day: Trump Strike Scenarios

[35:20] Running Out of Ammo: What Does That Mean For Regime Change

[38:47] What Winning Looks Like

[41:38] Sign Off and Credits