The IRGC’s control of 40% of the economy and its decentralized arms depots risk a violent scramble for power if the regime falls. While nostalgia for the monarchy persists, organized opposition remains fragmented, complicating any post‑theocratic transition.
Browsing: Democracy
The Islamic Republic has lost competence and credibility, relying solely on violence. Khamenei’s eventual exit may catalyze change, but democratic hope rests with internal civil activists—not exiled opposition or foreign intervention—who understand Iran’s complex political economy.
Iraq’s path to stability hinges on contestability over continuity. As PM Sudani withdraws his 2026 bid, the focus shifts to whether the new government can resist “state capture.” True security lies in institutional integrity rather than the perceived efficiency of a long-serving leader.