The remarkably settled nature of the Soviet-Iranian relationship during the late Pahlavi period was followed by a period of cautious Soviet activism in the early revolutionary years (1979-1980). In a bipolar world, the Shah had apparently succeeded in tempering his pro-American orientation by establishing multiple cultural, technical and economic ties to the Soviet Union – just enough investment to provide good insurance against a possible souring of relations. The Soviet leadership was not unappreciative of his efforts and reciprocated as…