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Why Iran's Protests Could Topple the Regime
(Wall Street Journal) Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh - It is the Central Intelligence Agency's view that the current wave of unrest in Iran poses no threat to the regime. But that view is too pessimistic. The Islamic Republic's rulers surely know that these demonstrations aim to foment revolution, not reform. And they have reason to worry that the demonstrators will be successful. Iranians are more than aware of the serious nature of self-government. They are unlikely to fall victim again to the allure of a secular strongman or militant mullah, having seen the damage such leaders cause. Iranians have come far in placing the blame for their own predicament on themselves. Democracy can't ignite, or last, if the citizenry doesn't assume responsibility for its own destiny. Iran seems ready. Most telling, Iranian women are no longer fazed by accusations of being "Western-struck." They appear eager to make Western ideas about natural rights, especially individual liberty, their own. This is an essential step toward making democracy work in non-Western lands. Mr. Gerecht, a former Iranian-targets officer in the CIA, is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Mr. Takeyh is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.