The Islamic Republic of Iran remains one of the most poorly understood regimes in the Middle East. Its array of factions, persistent internal power struggles, and opaque decision making process has often eluded both its defenders and detractors. After twent-seven years in power, the complexion of the regime is beginning to change. An ascetic "war generation" whose most formidable experience was the prolonged conflict with Iraq in the 1980's is assuming power with determination to rekindle the revolutionary fires long exthinguished.