There’s an interesting backgrounder on the Iranian demonstrations in the comments of Pat Lang’s blog. Here’s a snippet:
I think this could be a bigger challenge than 2009 protests, which only encompassed Tehran but not other Iranian cities.
Government, without a doubt, would be worried about a repeat of Arab Spring. although I personally do not see any chance of that.
Last December 21, during the Yalda Celebration, 210 or so party goers were arrested by the police for engaging in immoral acts; such as dancing in mixed company etc.
At the time, I thought that the Iranian security forces seem to have too much time on their hands, arresting young people having a good time. Now, of course, they have too much on their plates for a change.
I do not expect this to bring down the government or the system, but I do expect it to weaken the hizbollahis and strengthen the political and cultural position of middle-of-the-road Iranians.
Read the whole thing. The author has an ear to the ground.
Update
Hossein Derakhshan’s Twitter feed is another good source.
