The World and Everything In It 2.24.26 The State of the Union address, Iran’s internal and external pressure, U.S. military buildup near Iran, and ministering through war in Ukraine
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Feb 24, 2026 
Mark Montgomery, retired U.S. Navy rear admiral with expertise in naval operations, and Barbara Slavin, Stimson Center analyst on Iran, discuss Iran’s renewed protests and the regime’s internal strains. They unpack U.S. military buildup near Iran and the scale of naval deployments. The conversation also covers military options, Iran’s retaliation capabilities, and regional pressures.
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Widespread Iranian Discontent Meets a Resilient Regime
- Iranian protests persist driven by deep popular discontent with 47 years of the theocratic system.
- Barbara Slavin estimates ~80% of Iranians want change yet warns regime repression and cohesion of security forces make rapid collapse unlikely.
U.S. Military Pressure Risks Hardening Iran's Crackdown
- External military pressure can harden internal repression because Tehran feels vulnerable and compelled to show strength.
- Slavin warns the U.S. buildup may prompt the regime to be "very, very harsh" with protesters to avoid appearing weak.
Regime Change Is Likely An Inside Job Not A Comeback
- Realistic regime change is likelier from internal elite shifts than external invasion or restoration of the Shah.
- Slavin suggests succession among clerical and military elites or a softer IRGC-led regime as plausible outcomes, not a triumphant royal return.