Vali Nasr thinks the regime's bid for regional power is backfiring:
Iran expects greater influence in Iraq and Afghanistan once U.S. troops leave, but with that will come greater burdens. Once absent, America can no longer be the focus of opposition in both places. Instead, Iran may replace the U.S. as the target of popular anger, blamed for the failure of government to meet people’s needs. Iran may prove no more able to pacify Iraq and Afghanistan than the U.S. has been. Iran is adept at causing security headaches in the region but is untested when it comes to resolving them.
Haleh Esfandiari looks to a new graphic novel (which began as a blog) to explain the government's isolation from its own people.
The Dish 