The Parthian shot was a military tactic of the ancient Parthians, inhabitants of what is now Iran. The Parthian archers, on horseback, would feign retreat; then, riding at full gallop, they would turn their bodies back to fire on the pursuing enemy...

Is there anything Parthian about Iran's tactics today? What may worry the international community more than Iran's nuclear programme is its involvement in Iraq. When the U.S. withdraws from Iraq, as it eventually must, Iran will be the dominant power in the neighbourhood. But at home, there are more and more dissenting voices as the Iranian people react to the country's deteriorating economy, repressive laws, tough regime, and the growing sense of being in the U.S. firing line.