Middle East Focus Bonus Episode: Tehran's Brewing Troubles
Jan 8, 2026
Alex Vatanka, analyst of Iranian politics, and Alan Eyre, retired U.S. diplomat with decades negotiating Iran, discuss Iran's January 2026 mass protests. They cover why markets and bazaars joined the unrest. They assess Tehran's limited options, risks of foreign strikes, elite fractures, and how unrest could reshape regional dynamics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Economic Anger Quickly Turns Political
- Iran's latest protests began as economic grievances but rapidly politicized across classes and regions.
- Alan Eyre says the regime is unwilling and unable to govern, though elite defection hasn't occurred yet.
Bazaar Participation Signals Wider Discontent
- The bazaaris joining signals broader, risk-accepting participation beyond students and youth.
- Alex Vatanka notes even cautious, moneyed groups are shutting shops, showing deepening anger.
Repression Tactics Improved, Political Fixes Lacking
- The regime has learned operational repression techniques but not the political lessons to address grievances.
- Alex Vatanka says they focus on stopping protests rather than fixing everyday governance failures.
