Moderate Rebels episode 12 – Max Blumenthal and Ben Norton are joined by Iranian-American activist Mazda Majidi to discuss the protests in Iran. We analyze the reasons behind the demonstrations, including neoliberal economic policies, internal political contradictions, and crippling US sanctions.

This episode details the different factions jockeying for power in Iranian politics, including the Reformists and Principlists, and looks at reactionary opposition forces like the MEK and pro-shah monarchists. We also address the attempts by foreign powers to exploit the unrest to push for regime change, and the incredible hypocrisy of American, Israeli, and Saudi government rhetoric, along with the CIA’s well-documented anti-Iran activities.