Summary Of Bernard Lewis: The Basis Of Clerical Rule

Bernard Lewis also termed the very basis of clerical rule in Iran as its own remedy. Lewis states, “Khomeini during his rule seems to have effected a kind of “Christianization” of Iran’s Islamic institutions, with himself as an infallible pope and with the functional equivalent of a hierarchy of archbishops, bishops and priests. All of this was totally alien to Islamic tradition….It may be that Muslims having contracted a Christian illness, will consider a Christian remedy, that is to say, the separation of religion and state”.
Kissinger truly understands the dangers of abandoning diplomatic engagement with Iran as this would take the regime back to its doctrine of violent intimidation. And that doctrine not only puts the entire world’s peace