Religious scholar and Daily Beast columnist Reza Aslan was the latest guest on the Daily Show. In his interview with host Jon Stewart, Aslan discussed Iranian reform movements and the struggle for the future of the country. He told Stewart that the demonstrations are no longer about the election results, but have transformed into protests against the legitimacy of the state.
He also predicted continued violence, linking much of opposition leader Mousavi’s tactics to those used during the 1979 Iranian revolution. He continues in saying that while Mousavi uses these tactics, the government understands them because they too are using the same “playbook.” One side, he said, will outlast the other.
He also concludes in crediting Obama for his relative silence on the issue.
