Changes

Iran benefited greatly when the Sunni walls that had been erected around it - Afghanistan and Iraq - were torn down. Several analysts argue that since about 2005 Iran has evolved rapidly from a theocracy into a garrison state, in which the military dominates political, economic, and cultural life.<ref>http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/irans-revolutionary-guards-corps-inc </ref>

Iran benefited greatly when the Sunni walls that had been erected around it - Afghanistan and Iraq - were torn down. Several analysts argue that since about 2005 Iran has evolved rapidly from a theocracy into a garrison state, in which the military dominates political, economic, and cultural life.<ref>http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/irans-revolutionary-guards-corps-inc </ref>

Unlike Sunnis who emphasize sectarian differences with minority Shiites, the Iranian regime emphasizes the Israeli bogeyman because they estimate this gains them Arab [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=street+cred street cred] and diverts attention from the Shia rise to power. They ultimately believe they have earned the right to speak on behalf of the whole Muslim world.<ref>https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/studio/multimedia/20061018/5400.html/_res/id=sa_File1/The_Shia_Revival.pdf </ref>

Unlike Sunnis who emphasize sectarian differences with minority Shiites, the Iranian regime emphasizes the Israeli bogeyman because they estimate this gains them Arab [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=street+cred street cred] and diverts attention from the Shia rise to power. They ultimately believe they have earned the right to speak on behalf of the whole Muslim world.<ref>[https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/studio/multimedia/20061018-the-shia-revival-how-conflicts-within-islam-will-shape-the-future The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future], Carnegie Council, October 18, 2006</ref>

==People==

==People==