Reza Pahlavi: Leadership, Dealership, or Just a Showroom
I know Reza Pahlavi far better than many of his admirers. He’s charming, humble, and has a great sense of humor. He also loves photography, and let me tell you—if life had taken a different turn, he could’ve been the Ansel Adams of birdwatching. Or even shark watching! Imagine him patiently waiting by the ocean, camera in hand, perfectly focused on the movements of a great white—if only he showed the same level of focus in politics. And, well, if only he had a bit of talent, intelligence, and vision in that department, too.
When it comes to leadership, however, things get… complicated.
A Prince Well-Trained—In the Art of Elegance
Yes, Reza Pahlavi had years of training before he was even 17. He absorbed the qualities and etiquette expected of a prince. He speaks flawless French! A friend once joked that Reza speaks French better than Persian and English. The funny part? That same friend doesn’t even understand French. But based on what I have seen firsthand, his training manifested more in form than substance—more in perfecting the handshake than mastering strategy, more in sounding diplomatic than actually making diplomatic moves.
Leadership or Just a Very Fancy Waiting Game?
For years, I believed in the necessity of a broad coalition against the Islamic Republic. And when asked to help, I did—including helping Reza Pahlavi. I assisted with statements, wrote about crucial issues like water, and even introduced him to a few powerful lobbyists in Washington. When needed, I even walked with him around Capitol Hill, helping him explain some facts to real decision-makers. You know, basic things a leader should be able to do on his own.
Now, let’s be clear: My family had deep ties to the Pahlavi military. My grandfather retired as a general. (Fun fact: he also discovered that the King’s twin sister was quite the smuggler and had the audacity to confiscate some of her illegal goods. Good times!) My uncle was supposed to be among those who trained Reza in military college. But despite all that, I never bought into monarchy. And I certainly never saw the qualities of a strong leader in Reza Pahlavi.
What I did see, however, was a man who somehow manages—time and again—to surround himself with the absolute worst kind of advisors. People who are less interested in Iran’s future and more interested in settling old Twitter feuds. Yes, Iran’s future hangs in the balance, but first, let’s make sure to assassinate the character of a few dissidents online.
The Man Who Loves to Be Manipulated
Here’s the real kicker: I don’t think Reza Pahlavi just falls for manipulation—I think he enjoys it. He’s like a politician with a soft spot for backstabbers, a prince who gets a thrill out of palace intrigue—even when there’s no palace.
Take, for example, the case of Firuz Naderi. A remarkable scientist who helped NASA reach Mars. A guy who actually wanted to assist the opposition by bringing in top-tier scientists and influencers from Silicon Valley—not to kneel before a monarch, but to work on a master plan for Iran’s future. The result? The association didn’t even last a month. Because, of course, why surround yourself with brilliant minds when you can just listen to a bunch of self-important social media warriors? I even wrote him a letter in July 2018, telling him that I’d consider helping him again after I saw that the "evil" was gone. Evil never left.
Fast-forward to 2023: he had a golden opportunity to show leadership, to empower a small but promising coalition—the "Georgetown Coalition," which held its first meeting at Georgetown University. But instead of seizing the moment, he played right into the hands of the most divisive figures in the movement. People who treat politics like a reality TV show. The goal wasn’t winning—it was just making sure your enemies lose. His master plan? Possibly guided by the Lannisters, he managed to turn the opposition into a season of Game of Thrones—except with worse writing and no dragons.
Leadership? No. But a Dealership, Perhaps.
Leadership means making tough decisions. Standing firm under pressure. Thinking strategically about the future. But instead, Reza Pahlavi’s political playbook looks like it was ghostwritten by a group of exiled "monarchists" who spend their days screaming at each other in Clubhouse chatrooms.
What I see isn’t leadership—it’s dealership. He doesn’t lead; he sells ideas, handed to him by people with their own interests. He claims leadership of the opposition, yet curiously, no one has actually voted for him. No grand assembly of opposition groups came together to elect him. So who, exactly, is he representing? A group of goons who specialize in character assassination and gossip?
They say that if you want to know someone, look at the people he surrounds himself with. And based on his inner circle in recent years, I’d say continuous exile might serve him best. After all, birdwatching is a noble pursuit—far more productive than playing politics.
And if intelligence analysts have noticed these qualities—or rather, the lack thereof—would you trust any foreign power or entity that backs such a leader? Or, pardon my French, dealer?