Deciphering Persia. Reflections on Today’s Iran

In this essay, Ortiz Monasterio reflects on contemporary Iran, a culturally and politically diverse country whose essence can only be deciphered if we make a concerted effort to seek out better analytical tools and avoid the pitfall of accepting, without question, the simplistic views sold to us by the machinery of the mass media. According to the author, a more critical analysis such as this would reveal how the “soft power” approach to international relations Persians have been practicing since time immemorial is the cornerstone of Iran’s growing influence in regions where this brand of diplomacy is effective. The use of inappropriate analytical instruments poses the greatest obstacle to deciphering modern-day Iran, compounded by Western prejudices concerning Islam in general and Shi’a Islam in particular, clichés that are often taken to be indisputable truths. Deciphering Iran is essential to comprehending today’s complex geopolitical reality, but for countries like Mexico, it also has something to tell us about the underlying nature of power and culture in complex societies. As Ortiz Monasterio so rightly points out, Mexican culture is rich in syncretic expressions, which is why he believes the concept of Dialogue Among Civilizations could serve as a model for cultural exchange between nations with millenary traditions like Mexico and Iran, and a paradigm of understanding between every other country in the world.