Why haven’t reformists joined the protests sweeping Iran?
A widespread wave of protests has swept Iran over the past week. Originating mainly in the provinces, these events have been leaderless, similar in ways to the Arab Spring uprisings. Iranian reformists are a group that could have provided leadership but have so far decided to stay out of the action. Some have attributed reformists’ reluctance to their fear of Iran turning into Syria, their past support for Hassan Rouhani’s government or the incompatibility of reportedly aggressive tactics with peaceful reformist methods.
However, my research suggests this decision is actually rooted in the reformist strategic thinking formed during late 1990s.
Why would these protests need leaders?… Seguir leyendo »