The hope and warning of Iran’s protests

Iranians driving past a huge billboard showing a montage of pictures titled “Women of my land” in Tehran. Iran has been rocked by around a month of women-led protests. – AFP

THE death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Iranian police custody last month sparked the country’s biggest protests in years. Under the rallying cry, “Woman, Life, Freedom,” protesters have ground dozens of cities to a halt. The response from Iran’s authoritarian regime has been swift and harsh, with security forces opening fire on crowds and killing dozens.

Though the protesters remain undeterred, it’s hard to imagine how they prevail. When the regime in power has a monopoly on force and weapons and no qualms about civilian suffering, time is on its side.