orld War II. The value of the entire Middle East increased because of the need for oil and because of the desire on the part of the superpowers for increased world influence. Iran had many assets at the time of the Islamic Revolution, and these helped the Khomeini regime survive through its first decade in three uneven stages. The period of survival was from 1979 to 1982, and during this period the revolution defied those who said it would have an early demise. From 1983 to the end of 1986 the revolution undertook a period of expansion as the imam and his adjutants transformed Iran and changed the entire region. The third stage is characterized as a period of retreat from 1986 to mid-1988 as the country suffered from the costs of the government's arrogance and isolationism. Over this time, there was a movement from a desire for political change to an attitude of religious fervor--not only would the government be changed, but the government would represent the power of God in the world and would fight t
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