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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jan/21/iran-republic-fear-democratic-movement
Iran's Republic of Fear
(Guardian-UK) Mehdi Khalaji - Iran's clerical regime governs by a simple formula: He who is the most frightening wins. The regime seems convinced that there is only a small likelihood of a military attack on its nuclear program. It does not believe that sanctions can bring about its collapse. Thus, external forces do not appear to pose much of a threat. What has shaken the government, and indeed threatens the existence of the ruling Islamic ideology, is the pressure of the Iranian people for human and political rights. Since Iran's postelection crisis in June, the people have become fearless and, in turn, are terrifying the government. The Iranian people can be regarded as a strategic ally of the West, not only because they want democracy at home and peace in the region, but because their continued protests offer the West the most effective leverage against Iran's nuclear program. The writer is a visiting fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. His father, a cleric in Qom, was recently arrested by the Iranian regime.