The Iranian Regime's Long Goodbye: Richard Goldberg
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Jan 28, 2026 Richard Goldberg, a national security expert on Iran and former NSC director for countering Iranian WMD, gives a sharp walkthrough of Iran's protest history and why recent uprisings differ. He maps the regime's violent playbook, explains 2024 pressures like sanctions and internet blackouts, and explores military and political options shaping the country's uncertain future.
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Protests Shifted From Reform To Regime Change
- Iran's protest cycles evolved from reformist 2009 to broader anti-regime movements by 2022–2024 driven by economy and morality police abuses.
- Mass protests now cut across class and ideology, aided by Starlink and weakened regime finances under sanctions, creating a unique tipping-point risk.
Starlink Changed Protest Communication
- Starlink terminals and improved communications changed protest dynamics by letting Iranians share information during blackouts.
- That connectivity helped sustain nationwide coordination and made 2024 unrest broader than previous uprisings.
Regime Used Maximum Violence To Avert Collapse
- The regime responded to the latest uprising with unprecedented, rapid mass violence including mass shootings and executions.
- Reports suggest tens of thousands killed in short windows as security forces used maximum force to avert collapse.

