UNREST IN IRAN

BLOG 537

October 11, 2021

WISE ON THE MIDDLE EAST

Having traveled and worked in the Middle East since l968, Robert L. Wise, Ph.D. has journeyed through the region, giving him insights from behind the scenes. Two of his sons taught in Jordan and Lebanon. Each week he attempts to present an objective view of current events.

UNREST IN IRAN

The recent wave of protests across Iran raises important questions about what is ahead. In the southwest Khuzesan providence, a serious shortage of what has led to animals dying sparked anger. Lack of water also led to a breakdown in electricity with frequent blackouts. Scarcity of water was only the trigger.

This particular providence also has had tension with the central government. However, these protests spread  to cities like Istaban, Kermanshab, and Tabiz. By the following Monday, the protests reached the capital with chanting that opposed the regime. Shouts like, “Death to the Dictator,” “Khamenei Shame on You, leave Iran alone,” rang through the streets. The unrest reflects discontent with the country’s resources being used to support terrorist activities across the region. Similar widespread unrest exploded in 2019.

Notably some protestors chanted slogans favorably supporting Reza Shad who founded the Pahlavi dynasty during the 20^th century. A radical Muslim revolution sent him out of the country and overtook the American Embassy. Now many Iranians remember Shad for his attempts to modernize the country.

Is it possible that this current round of protests signal a potential revolt against the continued rule of the clerical reign? Hard to say. Unrest has existed for a long time in Iran. However, the demonstrations signal a significant problem with a lack of water in a farming region.

Religious revolts like the one that brought Muslem leaders to the top are always shaky. Promising great things, rebels forget about the resources and capacities necessary to fulfill their promises. Iran has been obsessed with its attack on Israel as a means to whip up the local population’s support. That strategy may be wearing thin.  It certainly is when the faucets run dry and you can’t turn the lights on.

The Achille’s heal of the Iranian system has always been an inability to create workable conditions and a positive social life for the citizens that it controls. Sorry, that condition has not changed.

Stay tuned. More to come.

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Cost is $15.00 plus the shipping fee.

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