In this episode of the Timeline Iran Podcast, we sit down with Bernard Hourcade, a geographer who first arrived in Tehran in September 1970 and has since dedicated his career to understanding Iran's social and geographical transformations. Hourcade discusses his initial research on rural development under the Shah's rule, the societal upheavals witnessed during the 1978-1979 Iranian Revolution, and his subsequent studies on urbanization and the growth of Tehran. With a tenure at the National Center of Scientific Research in Paris since 1983, he offers a detailed analysis of Iran's evolution from a geographer's perspective, including the significant shift of the population from rural areas to cities, the impact of education on societal structures, and the roots of the revolution. The discussion also covers the geopolitical significance of Iran, the implications of its nuclear program, and the effects of international sanctions on its population. Hourcade provides a factual account of Iran's historical challenges and its attempts to navigate its place in the modern geopolitical landscape, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the country's development over the last five decades.  

Iran Revolution 1979, Urbanization in Iran, Iran Geopolitics, Iran Nuclear Program, Sanctions on Iran, Iranian Society, Rural Development Iran, Iran Education System, Iran Urban Growth, Iran Soft Power  

Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction and Bernard Hourcade's background.00:13:32 - Early experiences in Iran and observations leading up to the revolution.00:27:04 - The dynamics of the Iranian Revolution and the rise of Khomeini.00:40:37 - Hourcade's research focus shifts towards urbanization and the social transformations in Iran.00:54:09 - Development of the research group on Iran at CNRS and reflections on retirement.01:07:42 - Philosophical views on studying Iran's history and its implications for the future.01:21:14 - The geopolitical significance of Iran and its historical context.01:34:47 - Discussion on Iran's revolutionary spirit and its impact internally and externally.01:48:19 - The nuclear program, sanctions, and their effects on Iran and its people.02:01:52 - Concluding thoughts on the importance of Iran's soft power and its future.

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