Global News Podcast Iran protests: 'Death to the dictatorship'
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Dec 31, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Anna Aslam, a Polish politics reporter, sheds light on a groundbreaking civil unions bill in Poland, aimed at acknowledging same-sex relationships amid political tension. Shana Lowe from the Norwegian Refugee Council reveals the dire humanitarian challenges in Gaza as aid organizations face new restrictions. The conversation also touches on the widespread protests in Iran over economic hardships, showcasing a significant moment for social change and reform in the region.
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Economic Anger Quickly Became Political
- Protests in Iran began over economic collapse but quickly broadened into political demands against the supreme leader and government.
- Officials like Masoud Pazeshkian and Mohammad Bagher-Galibaf unusually called for dialogue, signaling regime awareness of fragility.
Conciliation Reflects Lack Of Solutions
- Bachman Kalbasi says the government sounds conciliatory because it lacks solutions for hyperinflation, power and water failures.
- The regime faces a hard choice: brute force suppression or initial conciliation to try to calm unrest.
Crackdowns Leave Long-Term Social Change
- Past protest waves in Iran have been violently suppressed but left lasting social change, such as widespread women defying hijab rules.
- Even if current protests are crushed, the recurrence of mass dissent pressures the system to change behaviour over time.