The Weekly N&C for June 15th, 2009

Rather than distract readers further from the most important breaking international news story of the day, I am holding back the scheduled Weekly Item to make space for this:

News on the Iranian Popular Uprising

There are a number of good sources for English-language readers on this event. They are most all running far ahead of the major media outlets. Here are three that are covering what is happening in almost real-time:

Alerts from Tehran at tehranbureau.com

Michael J. Totten on the insurrection. Check his main page for new items as they come in as well.

NIAC Insights, an Iranian-American weblog with superb information.

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It is becoming clear that the Ahmedinejad regime is likely turning against the Theocracy for its own Autocratic purposes. One public sign of that is that the Pasdaran (Guardians of the Islamic Revolution; IRGC) have felt it necessary to have imported revolutionary stalwarts from Hezbollah (and other client groups) to re-enforce the state security apparatus at home in Iran. They are likely afraid that Iranian troops / police won't fire upon demonstrating Iranian civilians.

I'll assert that all revolutions either institutionalize (and stop being revolutionary regimes) or fall prey to an autocrat. What makes each revolution different is not *when* it ends... but *how*. What we are watching in Iran now may well be the *how*.

M. H. Mousavi appeared in public at the protests today in Tehran, surrounded by an enormous crowd. The Ahmadinejad government also held "victory" rallies. The time may be coming for Tehran's famous protest mobs to be seen again in full force... likely in support of both factions.

For all our sakes, let this end with freedom for Iran. Somehow.