> Iran is not like other countries in the region. Despite its shortcomings, it's a cohesive society.

This is a weird comment. I would also describe Jordan, Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia as cohesive societies.

> I would also describe Jordan, Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia as cohesive societies.

I don’t know much about the region; is it incorrect to say that the nations you listed (excepting Jordan) are collections of fiefdoms with a relatively weak central power? To OP’s point, that is not how I view Iran

That would only be nominally correct regarding UAE, which consists of seven emirates.

Emiratis would describe themselves as a cohesive nation of Emiratis living under seven different Emirs. (There are many YouTube videos about it.) Emiratis from different Emirs do not view themselves as from different ethnicities/tribes/nations.

BTW -- My original post forgot to mention Kuwait as a cohesive nation.

Yes, I agree with you on this part, but the Emirs are very different places. I lived for two years in Dubai, not really by choice, I was sent on a three month assignment by my company that just got extended.

I came to appreciate the place.

From my reading I get the feeling it has more in common with Spain and Portugal before the fall of the dictatorships.

Indeed, I'vve already read about an opposition government being organized.