I have a lot of friends in Iran, and everyone I know there opposes the regime; they are brilliant, educated, thoughtful, and worldly people.

Khomeiniism has vastly set back the Persian people and has kept them in subjugation since 1979.

The flight of Ayatollah Khomeini from Paris to Tehran brought the most radical form of Shiite Islam to Iran, which is one of the great tragedies of the modern era.

Physical power underpins all societal structures, and without it, attempts to exercise political power fail. This is evident in the history of communist revolutions, which often end up being controlled by those with physical power, leading to inequality.

AI systems are already being used in countries like Iran to enforce laws, such as hijab regulations, through automated surveillance and immediate penalties.

When people in power maintain a polite facade, they can commit horrific acts while presenting a false image of positivity and civility.

Totalitarian regimes can now monitor citizens more effectively than ever before, using AI and surveillance technology to eliminate privacy.

The only way to make radical change in government is to bulldoze the existing structure and then rebuild it, allowing for a fresh start.

Decapitating a strong leader without a plan for the resulting power vacuum can lead to chaos, as seen in Iraq after the removal of Saddam Hussein.