As Iranian People Demand Change, the Son of the Shah Revives Memories of Monarchy they Rejected
As protests and uprisings continue to erode the authority of Iran’s ruling regime, international attention is once again turning toward the possibility of regime change. While most agree that the Iranian people must ultimately determine who leads their country, the conversation is already being shaped by familiar figures—particularly Reza Pahlavi, son of the late Shah.
Joshua Philipp, senior investigative reporter for The Epoch Times, is available for interviews to provide balanced, in-depth analysis of the power vacuum forming in Iran and the global forces attempting to fill it. Philipp’s expertise in authoritarian regimes, foreign policy, and ideological influence campaigns gives him a unique ability to assess the motivations behind emerging leaders—and the unintended consequences of embracing them too quickly.
Reza Pahlavi is positioning himself as a face of opposition, but his claim to leadership is rooted in a monarchy that was once widely rejected by the Iranian people. It’s often forgotten that the Shah was overthrown by a popular movement—not in support of the Ayatollahs, but in rejection of royal rule. After the revolution, Islamic extremists seized control by force. A return to monarchy, even in a repackaged form, risks reopening old wounds and potentially setting the stage for renewed instability.
Pahlavi has also raised eyebrows by reportedly reaching out to elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the same apparatus responsible for decades of repression. His 2023 reluctance to even return to Iran unless conditions were ideal further complicates the picture. Is he a genuine reformer—or simply a more palatable placeholder?
Joshua Philipp argues that we must ask: Are there better options? Are there secular, pro-democracy Iranian voices—many operating in exile or underground—who offer a cleaner break from both the monarchy and the theocracy?
This is not just a political transition; it’s a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern history. Joshua Philipp offers the nuance, historical knowledge, and investigative rigor to help audiences understand the stakes—and why rushing to embrace a familiar name may do more harm than good.
Relevant Article(s)
Reza Pahlavi: An Alternative or an Obstacle to Change – The Free Iran Scholars Network
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OPTIONAL Q&A:
- What are the potential risks of reinstating a monarchy in post-regime Iran, particularly under Reza Pahlavi?
- How do the Iranian people today view the Pahlavi legacy, and does it reflect their aspirations for the future?
- Why is Reza Pahlavi seeking the support of elements within the IRGC, and what does that signal?
- Could restoring the Shah’s son to power ultimately lead to renewed unrest or another extremist takeover?
- What alternatives exist to both monarchy and theocratic rule, and why aren’t those voices receiving more attention?
- How does Reza Pahlavi’s past reluctance to return to Iran impact his credibility as a leader?
- Are Western governments and media too quick to rally around familiar figures without fully understanding internal Iranian dynamics?
- What qualities should the world look for in a truly democratic, Iranian-led alternative to the current regime?
ABOUT JOSHUA PHILIPP…
Joshua Philipp is an award-winning journalist and Senior Investigative Reporter at The Epoch Times. He is the host of ‘Crossroads,’ a news and analysis program on EpochTV. His works have included breakthrough investigations into the origins of Covid-19 and the Wuhan laboratory in the early days of the pandemic. He spearheaded the first documentary on the lab leak origins of the COVID-19 virus, released in April 2020. This groundbreaking documentary garnered over 75 million views, and while many tried to label it misinformation, its findings have since been vindicated by the White House and US intelligence agencies.
EXPERT ANALYSIS FROM JOSHUA PHILIPP
Joshua Philipp, senior investigative reporter at The Epoch Times and a recognized China expert, has mapped out these networks during his 15-plus years of research into the CCP. He provides a deeper context on the CCP’s attempts to subvert the systems and institutions in the United States. As the Chinese regime states, they aim to “strangle you with your own systems,” and that tactic is playing out across key industries and institutions in the US.
Josh is also a leading expert on Chinese unconventional warfare and United Front operations, which he has investigated and exposed since 2008. His 15-plus years of research and investigations on the Chinese Communist Party, subversion, human rights abuses and related topics give him unique insight into the global threat and political landscape.
DOCUMENTARIES/SERIES
• Tracking Down the Origin of the Wuhan Coronavirus
• The Final War: The 100-Year Plot to Defeat America
NOTABLE APPEARANCES
• The National Press Club
• Harvard University
• CPAC
• Turning Point USA
• Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News
• Steve Bannon’s War Room
• The U.S. Air Academy
CONTACT:
For further details or to arrange the interview, please contact Jerry McGlothlin at 919-437-0001 / Bookings@SeasonalLiving.com
CONTACT: Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983 or by email Jerry McGlothlin at bookings@specialguests.com.
