Iran on the Brink

There have been protests for nearly two weeks, and tonight's looked especially fiery: but this is the pivotal moment. The head of the exiled Pahlavi dynasty has called upon the police and military to join the protests and protect them in return for amnesty from the revolution -- for themselves and their families, a dire note rather appropriate to Middle Eastern politics. 

If it works, it's the point of no return. I may not have to go to Iran after all. Too bad, in a way. A man can't get into Valhalla sitting home. 

I will be back in DC next week, for meetings about... things. I have a very full schedule, so blogging will be light. 

5 comments:

E Hines said...

Iran has been on the brink before, a number of times, and its economy has been collapsed or collapsing for nearly two decades.

The mullahs are still in power, as are their security henchmen. These have nothing to lose, as they have nowhere to go.

It would be nice were they to fall, but I'm not optimistic. At best, it'll get very bloody before they do.

Eric Hines

Grim said...

Maybe. We moved a lot of C-17s yesterday. I wouldn’t be surprised if Pahlavi’s sudden call for mass demonstrations was coordinated with that.

The Communists in Berlin looked pretty unshakable until they didn’t. That didn’t get too bloody.

Anonymous said...

NOTAMs went out for Iranian airspace earlier. Internet seems to have become less reliable, so maybe the regime is trying to shut it down. Musk has opened up Starlink for Iranians.

If they just need a nudge, let's nudge.

- Tom

Texan99 said...

God bless your work.

Grim said...

May He bless theirs, the protesters. They're going to need help and luck.