Stephan Haggard: Political opponents are increasingly seen as enemies

The most recent uprising against the Islamic Republic in Iran has reignited debates about the regime’s downfall and the conditions under which it might occur.It has also revived the memory of the revolutionary waves that swept across the Arab region beginning in 2010–2011.Although those movements were overtaken by war and/or the triumphant return of autocrats, they ultimately led in Syria to the end of the Assad era on Dec. 8, 2024. Another recent interview on Iran Real change in Iran not assured, even if Khamenei is removed: Former US advisor Beyond the internal challenges specific to any society embarking on a post-dictatorship transition, these processes are now unfolding in a world where democracy appears to be in retreat.According to the Swedish research institute V-Dem’s 2025 report, for the first time in more than 20 years,...