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While the world watches in disbelief, the Iranian government has turned its guns on its own citizens. Despite more than 200 people having been killed by the hands of security agencies, public protests and strikes continue to challenge the legitimacy of the ruling regime.
The protests were ignited by the killing of a young Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, for not covering her hair fully with hijab, but have grown to seek the end of 'dictatorship'. The Islamic Republic of Iran is facing a threat to its very existence from within, which makes it extremely hard to counter.
In the absence of an organised opposition leadership, it is not clear what could replace the current model of government. At the same time, pressure from below has opened up fissures at the top. While the top echelon is keen to preserve the image of unity, cracks have appeared within Islamic seminaries - the very ideological base of the regime. What does the future hold?
Co-hosting with the Middle East Studies Forum (MESF) at Deakin University, AIIA Victoria invites you to join Professor Shahram Akbarzadeh as he discusses the ongoing protests in Iran and their implications for the future of the country. The second edition of his book, Middle East Politics and International Relations: Crisis Zone (Routledge, 2022) is now available.
To download the pdf flyer please click here.
