CC: Alex Vatanka – How has the 12 Day War Changed Iran?

This week on Conflicted, host Thomas Small is joined by Alex
Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and a leading
scholar of Iranian domestic and foreign policy. Together, they
explore the profound impact of the recent 12-Day War between Iran,
Israel, and the United States on the Islamic Republic. As an
Iranian who has studied the regime for decades, Alex offers a vital
look into the power struggles between revolutionary ideology and
Iranian nationalism that are now at play in Tehran. Thomas and Alex
discuss the main events of the war, the strategic decisions made by
all sides, and the unexpected conclusion that has left Iran in a
precarious position. They delve into how the conflict's strategic
and economic fallout - from widespread internet blackouts to the
regime's military and technological limitations - has humiliated
the ruling elite and exposed their vulnerability. The conversation
also explores how the war has intensified internal debates, with
pragmatic and moderate voices now pushing for political reform and
a change in Iran's foreign policy. The episode offers a sobering,
yet essential, look at a regime that must now confront its own
failures and decide whether to change course or risk total
collapse. You can find Alex on X @AlexVatanka To listen to the full
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