Giulio Andreotti vs Ruhollah Khomeini

Giulio Andreotti served as Prime Minister of Italy seven times between 1972 and 1992, a record in the post-war republic. His long tenure made him a dominant figure in Italian politics, known for his political maneuvering and ability to form coalitions across the fragmented party system.

Andreotti was implicated in the Lockheed bribery scandal, which involved payments to Italian politicians to secure aircraft contracts. He was investigated but never convicted, though the scandal contributed to a climate of political corruption that would later lead to the Tangentopoli investigations.

Throughout his career, Andreotti was a strong advocate for European integration, supporting Italy's participation in the European Monetary System and the Maastricht Treaty. He served as Foreign Minister and was involved in key EU decisions, helping to shape Italy's role in the European Community.

Andreotti was put on trial in Palermo for alleged association with the Mafia, accused of having ties to Cosa Nostra during his political career. The trial lasted years and resulted in a conviction in 2002, which was later overturned on appeal in 2003 due to statute of limitations. The case deeply tarnished his legacy.

Khomeini was exiled from Iran after criticizing the Shah's White Revolution and granting of diplomatic immunity to US personnel. He settled in Najaf, Iraq, and later in France, where he continued to organize opposition to the Shah.

Khomeini led a popular revolution that overthrew the Shah's regime. He returned to Iran in February 1979 and established an Islamic Republic based on his doctrine of Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist), with himself as Supreme Leader.

Khomeini supported the seizure of the US Embassy in Tehran by student militants, who held 52 American diplomats hostage for 444 days. The crisis deepened the rift with the US, led to economic sanctions, and consolidated Khomeini's power.

Khomeini led Iran through an eight-year war with Iraq, which began with an Iraqi invasion. The war resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties and massive economic destruction, ending in a stalemate. Khomeini accepted a UN ceasefire in 1988.

Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for the death of author Salman Rushdie for his novel 'The Satanic Verses', which he deemed blasphemous. The fatwa led to international controversy, diplomatic tensions, and attacks on Rushdie's translators.