Really interesting article about the effect U.S. sanctions are having in Iran — and it’s not what’s intended.
I was struck by what Juan Cole said here:
I think that the people who used to have the money to play politics and impact candidates and maybe get up demonstrations are increasingly going to be poverty-stricken, and not have those resources.
I’m afraid I think that the sanctions probably forestall, rather than encourage, an “Iranian Spring.”
Sounds like the U.S., too!
Wait a minute. If this is true, why would Iran loose the Basiji thugs in its private money markets? Sure sounds like the sanctions are imposing collateral costs on the regime.