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Iranian Nationalists Reject the Regime

(Wall Street Journal) Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh - Longtime loyal lieutenants of the Islamic revolution now ruminate loudly about the split between Iranian society and the state. On the streets, Iranians blame their economic plight on their leaders - not the U.S. and its sanctions. Iranians on university campuses and social media have harangued officials for making Iran party to a bloodbath. Nationwide, protesters chant against money being sent to Islamist causes they care nothing about. It has long been accepted that any significant foreign military action against Iran would be counterproductive. Iranian nationalism would kick into gear, turning opponents of the regime into angry patriots. However, far from quelling Iranians' anger with the regime, a U.S. military response would likely stoke it further. Mr. Gerecht is a resident scholar at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Mr. Takeyh is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
2023-02-16 00:00:00
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