Newscast Is This The Beginning of the End for the Iranian Government?
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Jan 10, 2026 
In this discussion, Sir Lawrence Freedman, a historian and Professor of War Studies at King's College London, explores the unrest in Iran, suggesting the regime may be on the verge of collapse due to economic turmoil and fractured authority. He connects current events in Iran to historical patterns, like the 1979 revolution, and explains the complexities of international crises, including tensions involving Trump and Venezuela. Freedman also highlights challenges the UK faces in defense spending and the impact of shifting global alliances.
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Iran Protests Could Signal Regime Collapse
- Massive street protests in Iran may mark the regime's beginning of the end due to scale and overwhelmed hospitals.
- Internet blackouts and limited reporting complicate confirming the depth and trajectory of change.
Economic Desperation Weakens The Regime
- Sir Lawrence Freedman argues the regime's economic collapse makes its survival precarious despite hardline resistance.
- Security forces are stretched and the IRGC has been used, increasing lethal risk and instability.
Events Coincide But Stem From Different Trends
- Multiple global crises (Iran, Venezuela, Ukraine) mostly follow independent trajectories that sometimes coincide.
- The post-Cold War 'rules-based' order has frayed, challenged by rising powers and economic shocks since 2008.