The Salt Lake Tribune has an article asking whether many teachers and students will move from Qom to Najaf. Recommended reading for today is: "The Mantle of the Prophet" by Roy Mottahedeh. It is one of the best books on religion and politics in Iran, and it's written in English by a Harvard professor. (Is that strange?)

If the history of Iran and Iraq has taught the people anything, though, it's that charismatic leaders are dangerous, especially if they become dictators.