Could Continuing Protests Lead to Civil War in Iran?
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More than three weeks after Iran's disputed presidential election, the regime continues to crack down on dissenters, while pointing fingers at the West. Clerics are split about what to do, protesters show no signs of giving up, and the Republican Guard has taken over control of the nation's security. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, guest host Sara Terry asks if Iran's rulers are losing their hold on power, whether President Obama should step up criticism of the regime and if there's civil war on the horizon. Also, an update on today's star-studded memorial to Michael Jackson, who died just over a week ago here in Los Angeles.
Banner image: Students demonstrate in the center of Tehran 10 July 1999, following overnight violent clashes that erupted between Iranian security forces and students protesting tough new press restrictions. Photo: Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images
Making News
Private Rites and Public Memorial for Michael Jackson ()
Today's burial and memorial services for Michael Jackson drew smaller than expected crowds to downtown Los Angeles, but the televised public star-studded memorial was viewed by millions worldwide. We get two reports on today's tributes. Cara Di Massa of the Los Angeles Times and Amy Kaufman of TheWrap.com joins us from just outside the Staples Center.
Guests:
- Cara Mia Di Massa: Reporter, Los Angeles Times
- Amy Kaufman: Reporter, TheWrap.com
Main Topic
Could Continuing Protests Lead to Civil War in Iran? ()
Nearly a month after the landslide election victory of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad set off massive protests in the streets, unrest continues in Iran. Protesters are reportedly planning a massive uprising on Thursday, the tenth anniversary of the Tehran University massacre, when police attacked students who were protesting the closure of a pro-reform newspaper. The Republican Guard has announced that it's taken over control of the nation's security, and rifts between clerics are growing. Will the opposition be able to mount Thursday's protest? As tensions increase, is civil war a possibility? How is the instability viewed outside of Iran? Is Israel likely to make a strike against the country's nuclear facilities?
Guests:
- Borzou Daragahi: Middle East Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, @borzou
- Reza Aslan: Middle East analyst, 'Marketplace', @AslanMedia
- Juan Cole: Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History, University of Michigan
- Dion Nissenbaum: Jerusalem Bureau Chief, McClatchy Newspapers, @DionNissenbaum
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Underwriters
Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.
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