The Lion and The Sun: A Modern History of Iran
Latest Episodes
Book One – Special Episode: Arabistan (2)
Reza Khan's army marches toward Arabistan, Khaz'al tries to unite local tribes against the government and the battle for Arabistan reaches its breaking point.
Book One – Special Episode: Arabistan (1)
A defiant Sheikh, a province rich in oil, and Reza Khans push to unify a fractured Iran. The story of Arabistan and how one local tribe became the biggest threat to Persia.
Book One – Ep.10: Brave New World
In the season finale of the podcast, Reza Khan aims for total control, the young shah flees his country and Iran braces itself for a brave new world.
Book One – Ep.9: The Coup
How a journalist and a military lieutenant orchestrated the 1921 coup dtat and how Reza Khan gained control of Irans military and became an influential player in the government.
Book One – Ep.8: APOC
The biggest oil field the world had ever seen, a foreign military occupation and a socialist revolution in the north. As Russia's influence wanes, Britain seizes control of Iran's newfound oil wealth
Book One – Ep.7: The Great War
As the great war breaks out in Europe, Persia is turned into the ultimate proxy battleground. The story of the First World War and how British, Russian, and German forces competed for control in Iran.
Book One – Ep.6: Russian Roulette
An old king tries to reclaim his throne, the United States sends Morgan Shuster to help Iran's finances, and Russia invades. The complicated history of Iran and Russia and how the Russian influence im
Book One – Ep.5: Battle of Tehran
Two constitutionalist armies arrive at the gates of Tehran and Mohammad Ali Shah prepares the capital of Iran for an all-out war. How battle of Tehran reshaped the future of democracy in Iran and how
Book One – Ep.4: The Bombardment
The battle for Iran's constitutional democracy rages on as the reactionary forces of Mohammad Ali Shah lay siege to the Parliament. In the aftermath of brutal bombardment, pockets of resistance emerge
Book One – Ep.3: Tale of Two Shahs
What comes after establishing democracy in a nation? Protecting it at all costs. In this episode, the ideals of democracy clash with the limitations of Islam and the new Shah maneuvers to undermine t