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Economic sanction
Economic warfare can be waged from within against an oppressive regime. It is a legitimate tactic to weaken a dictatorship. Iran is already suffering permanent stagflation and tapping into its oil reserves. Widespread corruption has sent millions of dollars out of the country, into foreign bank accounts. The public purse is strained.
There have been reports that Mr. Mousavi called for a general strike. But no strike has yet materialized, and it is unclear whether Mr. Mousavi called for one. Analysts say that such a strike would show opposition strength among the merchant class and rattle the government. But they add that it might be a risky strategy, if it fails.
RALLY
Rallying has many functions: To manifest political disagreement, to raise media attention, to swing votes, to sway wavering politicians, to test power balances. It is also a form of economic warfare, because it forces authorities to stretch their ressources.
For paramilitary units (Baseej) in Tehran only the cost of operation, payroll only, is an estimated $2 million per day.
For paramilitary units (Baseej) in Tehran only the cost of operation, payroll only, is an estimated $2 million per day.
BOYCOTT
Nokia-Siemens have sold monitoring devices to Iranian government used to filter cell phone communication. Calls for boycott have been made. We got now a pointer for the Nokia Boycott: http://campaigns.aicongress.org/nokia
STRIKE
On Tuesday about half of shops, bazaar joined strike in Tehran. Today the strike goes wider, supported by Tehran's Union of Workers, including bus workers and auto workers. The Bazaar in Tabriz, the 4th largest city in Iran and very active in protesting, is closed as well.
Mohsen Sazegara has some interesting views on strike tactics and other on the ground maneuvres.
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