Standing By

The Iranian revolution has entered a grim and secret phase. Grim, because the news is of mass arrests, protests being smashed, demonstrators beaten. Secret, because the situation may be resolved— or not— by maneuvers within the Iranian power structure that are opaque to those of us in the West.

Still, the cries of “Allah o akbar” are louder than ever at night. Three weeks ago, Iranians still had residual faith in their regime. Now there is little to none. The regime can stay in power only through the continuous use of force.

The strategy now would be to co-opt the regime’s security force.

Here’s the video of “Stand By Me” recorded by Jon Bon Jovi and Iranian superstar Andy Madadian. The recording isn’t for sale, it’s a free gift to the Iranian people.

Keep on crying in the night, all.