Regime legitimacy and rally-around-the-flag limits

In this Conflicted Conversation, Thomas speaks with Ali Ansari, Professor of Modern Middle East History at the University of St Andrews.

Prof. Ansari discusses:

• The depth and antiquity of Iranian culture
• His childhood experiences inside the Shah's inner circle
• The Shah's biggest mistake
• How the revolution could have better built upon what it inherited
• The huge incompetence and corruption that has undermined Iran's political economy
• How the new Supreme Leader is the IRGC's man
• The clarity of America's military aims alongside the opacity of its political aims
• The real weaknesses of the Iran Nuclear Deal
• How Iranians inside Iran feel about the regime and the war

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Conflicted is a Message Heard production.

Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren.

This episode was produced and edited by Thomas Small.

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