BRAHM Newsletter is back after a hiatus, and the first piece connects three things that don’t usually appear in the same sentence: the Lion and Sun flag flying on Tehran campuses this week, Lisa Randall on Epstein’s jet, and Trump’s noose-without-tightening strategy on Iran.
The argument is simple. Both the Iranian clerical class and the American academic establishment ran the same transaction; moral authority traded quietly for proximity to power. When that transaction becomes visible, as it has in both cases, the institution doesn’t recover quickly. Trump, whatever one thinks of him, has understood this about Iran in a way his predecessors didn’t. He is letting the regime exhaust itself.
BP readers will recognise the geopolitical thread. The BRAHM audience is wider and less South-Asia-focused. While written for them, the analysis however will be familiar here.
XTM
You are starting to expose your real hidden agenda.
Regime Change in Iran
Excommunicated Iranian Shia Muslim wanting the Ayatollahs out.
One again repeat
Is not Allah the God of Your Prophet
Let’s not go down the road of attacking people’s religions.
I do agree that this article seems like it’s arguing for the end of the Islamic Republic. I don’t agree with that–especially imposed from the outside.
Though I’m sure there are plenty of Iranians who do want to see the end of the Islamic Republic.
plenty = majority.
I did say that Regime needs to restore a Pahlavi to the throne.. but the regime is getting itself hated; I only do speak to Iran every day
I don’t think there is going to be any restoration of the monarchy.
An authoritarian monarchy was replaced by an authoritarian regime.
Why is monarchy your preferred model and not a democratically elected government?
Iran’s been a Monarchy for 3,000 yrs. Restoration is sensible
The so called Pahlavi dynasty are carpetbaggers. Reza Shah was commoner with a yen for power. Grabbed the monarchy and called himself Shah of Iran
XTM has penchant for those who claim to be something
do I?
It is for the Iranian people to choose their leadership.
I very much doubt that they are going to bring back the Shah’s heirs.
Monarchy in general is an outdated concept. Why should one family lord it over everyone else?
you do go on about “Your Field Marshall?”
What relevance does that have to Iran?
I find insults to Pak Fauj very offensive. So I take issue with RNJ’s calling the Field Marshal “Failed Marshal”.
That doesn’t mean I support military dictatorships. Pakistan is a “hybrid regime” not a military dictatorship–whether it should or should not be a hybrid regime is a different issue.
My position on this has been consistent. India’s violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and aggressive Hindutva only serve to strengthen the hold Pak Fauj has on Pakistan.
Before “Operation Sindoor”, General Munir was disliked by quite a lot of people, primarily due to the treatment of Imran Khan. “Operation Sindoor” has rehabilitated him in many people’s views because he was able to successfully deter India. Also, he visited the White House and is President Trump’s “favorite Field Marshal”.
constitutional Monarchy is a lot more elegant than a hybrid regime
That’s a matter of opinion not of fact.
Anyway, if the Iranian people choose a monarchy–constitutional or otherwise– that’s their right. It’s not really my issue.
But my impression is that the protesters chant Pahlavi’s name mainly because of a lack of other viable options. It’s not that they specifically want him to be king.
I think a limited form of restoration and reformation can help Iran but no one listens to me.
Unhappily saner heads are warning against Iran war. Unhappily as in I would have liked to see Trump and Israels noses thumped.
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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine warned that war plans under consideration carry high risk of significant American & allied casualties.
“The Pentagon is raising concerns to President Trump about an extended military campaign against Iran, advising that war plans being considered carry risks including U.S. and allied casualties, depleted air defenses and an overtaxed force.” This is increasingly looking like a military buildup in search of a political and strategic rationale.
https://www.zerohedge.com/military/iran-strike-debate-erupts-joint-chiefs-chair-allegedly-resists-trump-fires-back
I’m not in favour of military action
Trump in a lose lose situation
Does not strike then proves TACO
Goes to war and loses Americans or Iran closes Straight of Hormuz then goodbye to mid term elections and Republican control
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US envoy Steve Witkoff said in an interview with Fox News that aired on Sunday that President Trump was “curious” that Iran hasn’t “capitulated” to US demands due to the major US military buildup in the Middle East and threats of war.
The US envoy also confirmed that he recently met with Reza Pahlavi, the son of the Iranian Shah who was overthrown in 1979, as the Trump administration has made clear its ultimate goal is regime change in Tehran.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/president-trump-curious-why-iran-hasnt-capitulated
yes it’s getting a bit absurd. have you heard about the toilet crisis on the main ship
“Trump Iran airstrikes decision to be guided by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff’s advice”
By Hugo Lowell
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/23/trump-iran-airstrikes-nuclear-deal
it feels difficult to anticipate
The point is that so much power should not be in Jared Kushner’s hands.
The US has moved their troops out of Qatar and Bahrain. The US Embassy has moved their staff out of Beirut.
Something is definitely going to happen. It’s just a matter of when.
I don’t know it’s going to be that easy to attack