Cracks in the Iranian Monolith

[Chris_]

Cracks in the Iranian Monolith
^{Opposition is spreading in the streets, in prisons, and even in the military.
By MICHAEL LEDEEN}

The Iranian regime loves to boast of its military strength, international clout and hold on domestic power. Much of this is accepted by outside experts, but in fact the regime is in trouble. Iran's leaders have lost legitimacy in the eyes of the people, are unable to manage the country's many problems, face a growing opposition, and are openly fighting with one another.

A few weeks ago, according to official and private reports, the Iranian air force shot down three drones near the southwestern city of Bushehr, where a Russian-supplied nuclear reactor has just started up. When the Revolutionary Guards inspected the debris, they expected to find proof of high-altitude spying. Instead, the Guards had to report to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that the air force had blasted Iran's own unmanned aircraft out of the sky.

Apparently, according to official Iranian press accounts, the Iranian military had created a special unit to deploy the drones—some for surveillance and others, as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad bragged on Sunday, to carry bombs—but hadn't informed the air force.

Wall Street Journal
 

[DumbAss Tanker]

Like Saddam, they don't lack for sheer ruthlessness, which despite his stupidity in all forms of his government's policy and the very widespread fear and hatred of him and his mutant children, kept Saddam firmly in power until a stronger external force came into play.  I would not bet on those cracks in the Iranian regime leading to a structural failure any time soon.