Americano What’s really going on in Iran?
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Jan 14, 2026 Charlie Gammell, a Spectator contributor and expert on Iranian history, dives into the complexities of the ongoing protests in Iran. He discusses the conflicting roles of the clergy, the significance of internet blackouts, and the challenges of replacing the regime. Gammell highlights the potential fragmentation of Iran along ethnic lines and assesses Reza Pahlavi's leadership prospects. He also warns that U.S. intervention might inadvertently strengthen the current regime. A compelling look at a nation at a crossroads!
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Options Short Of Full Invasion
- The US and Israel have three principal non-kinetic military options: strikes on IRGC/Basij command nodes, Starlink saturation, and cyberattacks on surveillance systems.
- Supplying weapons to border ethnic groups is a fourth, riskier option that could spark wider conflict.
Intervention Risks Unite Opponents
- Decisionmakers worry US involvement could trigger civil war or unite Iranians behind the regime.
- Uncertainty over regime stability and post-regime outcomes makes intervention risky.
Internet Cuts Obscure The Reality
- Tehran's internet shutdowns block outside reporting and hinder protest coordination.
- Starlink-like access or government networks remain the main communications lifelines.
