re: #186 Flyers1974

I understand and agree. The regime tolerated no threats, whether violent or legitimate. I was referring to outside of the political realm, they had a degree of freedom. They could go to nightclubs for example. Which sounds ridiculous at first, but I wouldn’t discount it - they can’t do it now, at least openly.

Thats a very interesting point concerning the limits of soft power. The current argument that soft power (the promotion of basic western freedoms) to help undermine totalitarian rule is not holding up well against actual events.

In fact, it may be a bit counter-productive by offering a safety valve to power that they can manipulate.

Heck, we can’t oust indicted politicians in New Jersey…