About the Author

Nasrollah Tavakoli was born in Nishapur, Iran in 1928. He trained as an officer at Irans Military Academy and at the French Military Academy at Saint-Cyr. His advanced military training, including specializing in intelligence and psychological warfare, continued in the United States and Great Britain. In 1979, after the fall of the Shah, because of his nationalistic credentials, Colonel Tavakoli became the first chief of staff of the Islamic Republic. He resigned shortly after in protest to the revolutions wholesale execution of military officers.