Donald Trump in the White House, January 9, 2026 (Sky)
UPDATES: Iran Authorities Cut Internet Amid Mass Protests In Cities
UPDATE, JAN 11:
I spoke with India’s WION on Saturday about the nationwide protests in Iran; the regime’s attempts to suppress them; and why Donald Trump’s threats to intervene do not help the protesters.
Watch from 2:20:
ORIGINAL ENTRY, JAN 10: I joined Poland’s TVP World on Friday to analyze the latest international developments, including Donald Trump’s threats to global order and the growing protests challenging Iran’s regime.
I begin with the blunt assessment that the Trump camp has cut off all alliances and international organizations as they pursue personal profit and domination.
Donald Trump told the New York Times, “My power is constrained only by my sense of morality.”
Whatever Trump’s sense of morality, he was saying, “I pay heed to no one else.”
Given this — and given the Russian invasion of Ukraine — how should Europe and the world respond?
You have to plan with each other for your essential security — economic, political, and security — on the basis that the Trump Administration at the least is off to the side and, in some cases, is your opponent.
Host Sascha Fahrbach and I discuss the case of Greenland, with the bluster by Trump and the White House that all options are on the table to seize it.
As we consider if Congress could check Trump, I reiterate that the goal of his camp is to “break the US system”.
We turn to Iran to explain the surge of nationwide protests, as they transformed from a response to economic conditions into a challenge to the power of the regime.
This could be — and I have to emphasize “could be” — the most important moment since the Iranian people were denied their political rights in 2009.
Trump admin weighing preliminary attack plans on Iran — as officials consider what sites to target: https://nypost.com/2026/01/10/world-news/trump-admin-to-carry-out-preliminary-attack-plans-on-iran-considering-what-sites-to-target/
“A massive aerial strike campaign on multiple Iranian military targets is one option being considered — although Washington has not reached consensus on a plan of action.”
WOW. I think even the editor and myself are on the same page here. To attack a country to intervene in its internal affairs goes against every tent of MAGAism.
Doctor Says More Than 200 Reported Dead in Tehran as Regime Opens Fire on Protests: https://time.com/7345092/iran-protests-death-toll-regime-crackdown/
Whilst there have been deaths caused by attacks on police stations – the security forces firing back – I have seen similar “doctor” reports like this before.
“TIME has been unable to independently verify these figures.”
In 2009, a “doctor” claimed police were shooting pregnant women in the streets, the bullets lodged in their foetus’ brains: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jul/09/iran-protests-doctor-disputes-toll
” The Guardian has been unable to independently verify his account.”
[Editor’s Note: Claim from Iran semi-official outlet close to regime leadership]
Arrest of 200 riot leaders with grenades and waistcoats: https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1404/10/20/3491773
[Editor’s Note: The claimed footage is from IRIB, Iran’s State broadcaster]
Massive pro-Iran demonstrations throughout Iran: https://x.com/AryJeay/status/2009940846980805014
The slogan used is “down with the treacherous betrayers of the country” alluding to the fact that the “protesters” – who have trashed the streets of some cities – are acting on behalf of Israel and America.
Big counter-demonstrations are planned for Monday according to Tasnim (operating a site outside of Iran which is still mostly in Internet shutdown to disrupt “protester” communications): https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1404/10/20/3491640