The spirit behind Iran’s protests
Tehran, Iran, Ekbatan Blvd. people protest In 1979 the Iranian people rose against and overthrew the Shah’s dictatorship. Back then very few speculated the status quo would allow the new regime in power to give birth to a new form of an even harsher dictatorship. The Shah imposed his rule based on a security apparatus consisting of his police, the SAVAK (intelligence service) and the army. The mullahs’ regime, however, in addition to the above-mentioned, has established the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and Basij paramilitary units to specifically defend the ruling regime. Interesting is how many people and analysts across the globe believed this regime’s overthrow is out of reach, falling for the mullahs’ propaganda machine. During this period no organization other than the PMOI/MEK called for a continued drive to overthrow this regime. As the mullahs consider them today, the PMOI/MEK was viewed as the main enemy of the Shah’s rule during his reign in power. For man...