Despite much nice talk by Iranian leaders in the past three months and some real progress in easing tensions with its neighbors, the budget suggests that Nezam’s basic strategy has not changed.  Funding for the police, intelligence services, and prisons has increased by between 44 and 55 percent; the budget for Islamic Propagation is up by 53 percent.  This suggests Tehran will continue its policy of robust coercion coupled with “exposition jihad,” Khamenei’s forlorn hope that, with more and better advertising, he can persuade Iranians to buy the Edsel that is the Islamic Republic. Read more here.