The Third Current

  Why the Regime Chose Violence Again? The Iranian regime has once again resorted to violence to suppress protests. At first glance, these demonstrations appeared weaker than those of previous years. Yet over time, they gained momentum. In response, the regime shifted from a relatively restrained approach to open brutality. Unlike many people would think, the primary reason behind this shifted-policy is internal rather than external. The protests that erupted in late 2025 coincided with a record collapse of the rial against the US dollar. The shock hit Iranian economy which already facing challenges. The high-inflation rate already weighed down the people. Also decrease of oil and natural gas in global markets badly effected Iran’s economy as these assets are only income of the country. In addition to all of these, 12 Days War with Israel overburdened its economy. However, the fall of the rial was not accidental. It resulted from a timid-attempt to liberalize the economy. This appe...

International community’s attention is focused on Israel’s recognizing of Somaliland, the US’s operation in Venezuela and The Saudi Arabia versus the UAE skirmish in Yemen. In the meanwhile a major development inside Iran is taking place; the first popular protest of 2026. Iranian economy which is already weak under the international sanctions faced a dramatic record low of its currency against the US dollars last in Sunday, January 4th. The protests have erupted across the country following that economic shock. Public protests and demonstrations are not unusual in Iran. People of Iran often revolt and protest the regime because of imposing Islamic rules, bad economic conditions, corruption or political repression. However, this protest wave stands apart and for three reasons. The Bazaar Factor: When Elites Are Affected Aftermath of the record low, protesters took to the streets, burned regime symbols and posters of Qasem Soleimani and chanted slogans such as “death to the dictator.” I...

  What the Global Left Should Learn from Maduro’s Fall The president, or better to say the former president, of Venezuela has been detained by   US forces in Caracas. Everyone, including Maduro himself, were expecting for a full-scale military intervention. Maduro regime has even trained the population for a guerrilla war-fare. Trump administration, however, have chosen a spot-on and well calculated limited military operation to solve the “Venezuela issue.” It’s still too early to analyze what the operation has unfolded or what its political consequences will be. Although open-source are reporting so-called “details” of the operation they are more like speculation and misinformation. What we know so far is that Maduro and his wife were detained and, as of the time this piece is being of written, were on their way to the United States. Social media quickly filled with videos claiming “massive explosions” in Caracas, under title of “beginning large-scale military invasion.” How...

Lo que la izquierda global debería aprender de la caída de Maduro El presidente  o mejor dicho, el ex presidente  de Venezuela ha sido detenido por fuerzas estadounidenses en Caracas. Todos, incluido el propio Maduro, esperaban una intervención militar a gran escala. El régimen incluso había preparado a parte de la población para una guerra de guerrillas. Sin embargo, la administración Trump optó por una operación militar limitada, precisa y cuidadosamente calculada para resolver lo que desde hace tiempo denominaba el “problema venezolano”. Todavía es demasiado pronto para analizar en detalle cómo se desarrolló la operación o cuáles serán sus consecuencias políticas. Aunque las fuentes abiertas están llenas de supuestos “detalles”, la mayoría de lo que circula es especulación y desinformación. Lo que sí sabemos hasta ahora es relativamente claro: Maduro y su esposa fueron detenidos y, al momento de escribir este texto, se dirigían a Estados Unidos. Las redes sociales se llenar...