The article argues that the post-Cold War era of U.S. unipolarity, established by the perceived invincibility demonstrated during the Gulf War, has ended. This decline is driven by globalization and technological diffusion, which have democratized advanced military capabilities, allowing regional actors to challenge major powers. Consequently, policymakers must prepare for a more volatile international order marked by frequent crises, heightened costs for securing global trade chokepoints, and reduced predictability from American power. The new rules dictate that great powers can no longer effortlessly impose their will through force.
The Real War for Iran’s Future
English Summary
The passing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei marks a critical inflection point in Iran's political landscape, suggesting a potential shift away from the repressive status quo. While the state media framed his death as a moment of martyrdom, the article suggests that the populace is largely disillusioned after decades of repression against dissent, women, and minorities. This transition period is expected to be highly volatile, creating a power vacuum that challenges the stability of the Islamic Republic. Consequently, external powers must anticipate significant internal unrest and potential regime challenges, necessitating a strategic reassessment of diplomatic and security engagement in the region.
中文摘要
最高領袖阿里·哈梅內（Ali Khamenei）的逝世標誌著伊朗政治格局的一個關鍵轉捩點，暗示著其可能從壓抑的現狀中轉型。儘管國家媒體將其死亡描繪為殉道時刻，但本文指出，在數十年遭受的對異議人士、女性和少數族群的壓迫之後，民眾普遍感到幻滅。預計這段過渡期將極不穩定，會形成一個挑戰伊斯蘭共和國穩定的權力真空。因此，外部大國必須預期重大的內部動盪和潛在的政權挑戰，有必要對該地區的外交和安全參與進行戰略性的重新評估。
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