Latest from Saeid Golkar
The Stories That Shed Light on Power in Iran
Both the Iranian regime and those who resist it use myths and ideas about divinity to cultivate support. From self-sacrificing martyrs to ancient archers, bloodthirsty tyrants and dangerous davalpas, these tales help to reveal Iran’s political culture and the nature of the Islamic Republic’s authority.
A New Appointment Signals Iran’s Investment in the Propaganda War
Attention is on a likely military response to the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Yet Iran’s strategic communications have already gone into overdrive under a new head of propaganda and public relations.
Iran’s Dissenting Voices Are Being Targeted Online
Over the past few decades, the Iranian regime has developed both well-known cyberwarfare units — such as “Charming Kitten” — and more shadowy entities for psychological operations. While the former have received plenty of international attention, the latter have largely operated under the radar.
A Shadowy Paramilitary Group Leads the Bloody Crackdown on Iran’s College Campuses
The bloody crackdowns at universities across Iran are not being led by the usual suspects — the police, the IRGC or its Basij militia. Rather, the brutal repression is being driven by a shadowy paramilitary group almost unknown beyond Iran’s borders.