Iran war shows how instability is useful to a 'thugocracy'

In a 'thugocracy', the leader's supporters are willing to endure substantial hardship if they believe the sacrifices serve a purpose, writes Mohammad Reza Farzanegan

A child holds an Iranian flag in a vehicle in northern Tehran, Iran, this month. In Iran, external attacks and sanctions can reinforce nationalist solidarity, even among citizens who remain critical of the regime. Photo: AP/Vahid Salemi

The US-Israeli war with Iran has revealed how instability can become a powerful political instrument. 

Leaders can exploit crises to maintain supporters’ loyalty, even while imposing costs on them, and extract concessions from domestic and foreign adversaries through coercion and manufactured unpredictability.