Why was the reaction to political dissent so different this time? Illustration: Mountain PeopleAdding insult to injury, Iran is no longer able to prevent foreign actors from boosting popular discontent at home. Notably, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is filled with veterans of the Syria conflict. Could the US pursue a similar strategy against the Islamic republic? A total collapse of the Islamic republic is not necessarily imminent, but Iran’s revolution is now nearing its end.

Source: Taipei Times January 14, 2026 16:32 UTC