Protests in Iran: Characteristics, Causes, and Policy Ramifications | Small Wars Journal

"during the 2009 protests slogans condemning the fundamentalist regime’s foreign policy played only a minor role. As mentioned earlier, one of the slogans were “Neither Gaza, Nor Lebanon, My Life for Iran.” Also when the regime was asking the people on the anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran to shout “Death to America,” the protesters shouted back “Death to Russia.” During the current protests, however, slogans condemning the regime’s foreign policy are playing very prominent roles. One of the main slogans of the current protests is “Sorieh ra raha kon, fekri be hale ma kon” [Leave Syria alone, do something for us]. This reflects the recognition that the enormous sums the regime spends in Syria (as well as in Iraq, Lebanon and elsewhere) are at the cost of the welfare of the Iranian people who suffer poverty, unemployment, and high prices."