1/6/18, 7:28 PM Why haven’t reformists joined the protests sweeping Iran? - The Washington Post Page 1 of 5 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2018/01/05/w…ists-joined-the-protests-sweeping-iran/?utm_term=.7cab203b109c The Washington Post Monkey Cage Analysis ○ Why haven’t reformists joined the protests sweeping Iran? By By Mohammad Ali Kadivar Mohammad Ali Kadivar January 5 January 5 A widespread wave of protests has swept Iran over the past week. Originating A widespread wave of protests has swept Iran over the past week. Originating mainly in the provinces, these events have been leaderless, similar in ways to mainly in the provinces, these events have been leaderless, similar in ways to the the Arab Spring uprisings Arab Spring uprisings. Iranian reformists are a group that could have . Iranian reformists are a group that could have provided leadership but have so far decided to stay out of the action. Some provided leadership but have so far decided to stay out of the action. Some have attributed reformists’ reluctance to their fear of Iran turning into Syria, have attributed reformists’ reluctance to their fear of Iran turning into Syria, their past support for Hassan Rouhani’s government or the incompatibility of their past support for Hassan Rouhani’s government or the incompatibility of reportedly aggressive tactics with peaceful reformist methods. reportedly aggressive tactics with peaceful reformist methods. However, my research suggests this decision is actually rooted in the However, my research suggests this decision is actually rooted in the reformist strategic thinking formed during late 1990s. reformist strategic thinking formed during late 1990s. Why would these protests need leaders? Why would these protests need leaders? Leaderlessness might be a blessing for such movements in the short-term, as Leaderlessness might be a blessing for such movements in the short-term, as the movement does not present any clear target for the regime to repress. In the movement does not present any clear target for the regime to repress. In the long run, the long run, leaderlessness creates problems leaderlessness creates problems, undermining the movements’ , undermining the movements’ capacity for strategizing and leaving them without agents to negotiate with capacity for strategizing and leaving them without agents to negotiate with authorities or articulate demands. authorities or articulate demands.