I was surprised to there wasn't a thread on Tildes yet about the news of ongoing protests happening in Iran. It seems that these things happen every few years but that this time appears to be...
I was surprised to there wasn't a thread on Tildes yet about the news of ongoing protests happening in Iran. It seems that these things happen every few years but that this time appears to be different.
A user's analysis I saw elsewhere pointed out one thing different with this protest from past major protests. I don't know if it's true or not, since I don't know enough about Iranian protests of...
A user's analysis I saw elsewhere pointed out one thing different with this protest from past major protests. I don't know if it's true or not, since I don't know enough about Iranian protests of the past. Other just hearing about them.
But the user pointed out -- or at least western media seems to be repeating -- that Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah, being closer to the center of these protests. The few articles I've seen keep do referencing Pahlavi and crowds chanting in support of and calling for the crown prince.
Anyone closer to the ground here have any insight into this? Is there widespread support for the return of the the monarchy? Even if the monarch is just a figurehead going forward?
I recently met an Iranian woman who emigrated 10 years ago but was a pro-democracy activist. I was not aware of there being a pro-monarchy crowd at all, and she informed me that when it comes to...
Exemplary
I recently met an Iranian woman who emigrated 10 years ago but was a pro-democracy activist. I was not aware of there being a pro-monarchy crowd at all, and she informed me that when it comes to the opposition to the regime, right now the pro-monarchy people are the loudest. According to her, they are numerically the minority, but are leading the protests right now.
It makes her very sad, because it replaces one despot with another.
I've seen at least one video with shots of protesting crowds where the original audio was clearly changed to crowds shouting Pahlavi's name. So expect propaganda. Some of his support surely is...
But the user pointed out -- or at least western media seems to be repeating -- that Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah, being closer to the center of these protests. The few articles I've seen keep do referencing Pahlavi and crowds chanting in support of and calling for the crown prince.
I've seen at least one video with shots of protesting crowds where the original audio was clearly changed to crowds shouting Pahlavi's name. So expect propaganda. Some of his support surely is legitimate, but I think that at this moment it is impossible to say how much.
Take the following with a grain of salt: From a bit by a local journalist with some knowledge of Iranian society (though it is not his main specialization) it sounds like a large portion of people is fed up with the totalitarian regime, but their ideas on what work would have to be done to build a democracy are often naive or non-existent and there's no real opposition or dissent ready to do the work, so some are turning towards monarchy simply because it's an option that exists and seems better than the current one.
A bit of a sidenote, I don't think that the situation in some eastern european countries during the fall of communism was much better with regards to being naive and not having plans and they all turned out better than before, so the above may not be as bad as it sounds.
I was surprised to there wasn't a thread on Tildes yet about the news of ongoing protests happening in Iran. It seems that these things happen every few years but that this time appears to be different.
See also: 'In isolation, we’ll never flourish': What Iranians think about the protests and an end to the Islamic Republic for interviews with citizens that Guardian conducted.
A user's analysis I saw elsewhere pointed out one thing different with this protest from past major protests. I don't know if it's true or not, since I don't know enough about Iranian protests of the past. Other just hearing about them.
But the user pointed out -- or at least western media seems to be repeating -- that Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah, being closer to the center of these protests. The few articles I've seen keep do referencing Pahlavi and crowds chanting in support of and calling for the crown prince.
Anyone closer to the ground here have any insight into this? Is there widespread support for the return of the the monarchy? Even if the monarch is just a figurehead going forward?
I recently met an Iranian woman who emigrated 10 years ago but was a pro-democracy activist. I was not aware of there being a pro-monarchy crowd at all, and she informed me that when it comes to the opposition to the regime, right now the pro-monarchy people are the loudest. According to her, they are numerically the minority, but are leading the protests right now.
It makes her very sad, because it replaces one despot with another.
I've seen at least one video with shots of protesting crowds where the original audio was clearly changed to crowds shouting Pahlavi's name. So expect propaganda. Some of his support surely is legitimate, but I think that at this moment it is impossible to say how much.
Take the following with a grain of salt: From a bit by a local journalist with some knowledge of Iranian society (though it is not his main specialization) it sounds like a large portion of people is fed up with the totalitarian regime, but their ideas on what work would have to be done to build a democracy are often naive or non-existent and there's no real opposition or dissent ready to do the work, so some are turning towards monarchy simply because it's an option that exists and seems better than the current one.
A bit of a sidenote, I don't think that the situation in some eastern european countries during the fall of communism was much better with regards to being naive and not having plans and they all turned out better than before, so the above may not be as bad as it sounds.
According to the BBC there's a nationwide internet blackout so it may be difficult for any Irani members of Tildes to share.
Ah yes, internet blackouts, in 2025 that proved to be the surefire way to get your government toppled. Let's see if 2026 holds true.