Iran Internet 'Blackout': The Echo Chamber of Manufactured Dissent
📰 THE STORY: The New Arab reports on limited internet access briefly returning to Iran amidst ongoing protests, implying government suppression as the sole cause of communication disruptions. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: In 2010, the US government itself launched a 'virtual embassy' to Iran, funding tools and technologies specifically designed to circumvent state controls.
This followed decades of overt and covert interference, including the 1953 CIA-orchestrated coup that overthrew Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, establishing the Shah's repressive rule for a quarter-century. The current climate isn't isolated; it's a direct lineage from these destabilization efforts. Double Standard: Western media quick to decry Iran's internet
restrictions say little when allied states impose similar or worse controls. For example, during the 2019-2020 mass protests in Chile against neoliberal policies (following a 1973 CIA-backed coup), protesters reported widespread internet and mobile signal disruptions, yet the outcry was muted compared to reporting on Iran. Similarly, Egypt's Sisi regime, receiving $1.3 billion annually in US
military aid, routinely jails journalists and restricts internet access without the attendant Western condemnation seen with Iran. Follow the Money: US-based organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) receive millions in taxpayer dollars annually to promote 'democracy' abroad. These funds often support opposition groups and media