Episode #121: The Winter of Iranian Discontent (feat. Sarbas Nazari)

We’ve recently covered the protests in Lebanon and Iraq - two countries where Iran remains highly influential. But Iran has been dealing with demonstrations of their own, triggered by a series of austerity measures to try and take pressure off their already-strained economy. What were these measures? What demands have the protesters called for? And will these events have any effect on the political career of their president, Hassan Rouhani? Phil and Cooper discuss this and more, along with Al-Monitor Iran Pulse contributor Sarbas Nazari. Reduction in Iran's gasoline subsidy sparks anti-government protests Tehran says protests subsiding as internet blackout drags on Will Iran’s 50% gas price hike pay off for the economy? (Bijan Khajehpour) How Iran's protests could impact foreign policy (Hamidreza Azizi) How Iran's hard-liners tried to ride wave of protests (Rohollah Faghihi) Extra Listening: Episode #52,  JCP-No-Way (5/10/2018): Trump withdraws from the Iran Nuclear Deal. Episode #64,  The Sound of Sanctions (8/10/2018): Phil and Cooper discuss the first round of Trump’s new sanctions on Iran. Episode #76,  The Sound of Sanctions, Part II (11/7/2018): Phil and Cooper speak with Barbara Slavin about the second round of new sanctions, and how they’ve already affected Iran’s economy. Episode #99,  Under Pressure (5/17/2019): Tensions between the US and Iran with threats of military action. Music: Leila Forouhar - “Jolene” ( Spotify |  Apple Music)