Why is the Iran-Iraq War considered more central to the regime's narrative than the 1979 Revolution?

The 1979 Revolution is viewed as a messy period involving various competing factions, including Marxists and liberals. In contrast, the Iran-Iraq War (the "Sacred Defense") served as a "crucible" that forged the Revolutionary Guard and the Basij into their current form through eight years of existential struggle. While the state promotes a glorious version of "holy defense" to recruit youth, veterans often maintain a more grounded, horrific memory of the conflict, using it as a master narrative for their heroism and the defense of the nation against the world.

How is the Iranian government changing its media strategy to reach the younger generation?

Recognizing that traditional religious propaganda is often ignored by the youth, pro-regime media producers are shifting toward "cinematic persuasion" and nationalism. They are moving away from official state-run television (IRIB) to create smaller, "independent-looking" studios that hide the state's fingerprints. This strategy includes using "underground" marketing tactics, producing high-budget music videos featuring rappers, and creating thrillers that focus on national security and "defending the motherland" rather than pure religious ideology.

What do the terms "Khodi" and "Gheyr-e Khodi" mean in the context of Iranian society?

These terms represent the "pedigree of power" in Iran, where *Khodi* refers to "insiders" and *Gheyr-e Khodi* refers to "outsiders." Being an insider is determined by one's history, family, and service to the revolution or war, providing individuals with legal, material, and social protections. However, this boundary is shifting and narrowing; even war heroes can be cast out and treated as outsiders if they challenge the current political line, leading to significant internal resentment among veterans who feel the system has been hijacked by ideological opportunists.

What is the "politics of fear" mentioned in the script, and how is it used?

The "politics of fear" is a tactic used by the regime to maintain compliance by highlighting the chaos in neighboring countries like Syria and Iraq. Media producers frame the Revolutionary Guard and figures like General Qassem Soleimani as the only shield preventing "Islamic zombies" (ISIS/Daesh) from destroying Iran. By turning "security" into a supreme value that transcends politics, the state attempts to convince even anti-regime youth that the current system is a necessary evil to avoid a bloody national collapse.

Why is the regime's use of nationalism considered a "fragile" strategy?

While pivoting to nationalism helps the regime "borrow" the support of the youth during times of external threat, it creates a "thin veneer" of unity that can evaporate quickly. This strategy is risky because it downplays the original religious foundation of the Islamic Republic. When the state makes catastrophic errors—such as the shooting down of the Ukrainian airliner in 2020—the nationalist facade cracks, and the population's underlying grievances regarding the economy and lack of freedom resurface, turning "compliance" back into "defiance."

Iran’s Soft War: Cinema, Power, and Propaganda

28 min

21 sources

Mar 4, 2026

Politics Society Communication skill

Explore how the Islamic Republic uses thrillers and music videos to bridge a massive generational divide and maintain its revolutionary grip through media.

Best quote from Iran’s Soft War: Cinema, Power, and Propaganda

The veterans are the ones saying, 'maybe we shouldn't arrest kids for their hair style because we’re just pushing them into the arms of the opposition.' They look at the civil war in Syria and think, 'if we don't adapt, if we don't find a way to make these kids feel like they belong to our system, we’re going to end up in a bloody collapse.'

This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member

Input question

Based off Bajoghli’s books on iran

Host voices

Nia

Miles

Learning style

Deep

Knowledge sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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@Matt, YC alum

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

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@Cashflowbubu

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Iran’s Soft War: Cinema, Power, and Propaganda

28 min

21 sources

Mar 4, 2026

Politics Society Communication skill

Explore how the Islamic Republic uses thrillers and music videos to bridge a massive generational divide and maintain its revolutionary grip through media.

Best quote from Iran’s Soft War: Cinema, Power, and Propaganda

The veterans are the ones saying, 'maybe we shouldn't arrest kids for their hair style because we’re just pushing them into the arms of the opposition.' They look at the civil war in Syria and think, 'if we don't adapt, if we don't find a way to make these kids feel like they belong to our system, we’re going to end up in a bloody collapse.'

Key Takeaways

The Battle for Iran’s New Generation

0:00

Nia: You know, Miles, when we think about how a revolutionary government stays in power for over forty years, we usually imagine it’s all about hard power and strict control, right? But what if the real battleground isn't the streets, but the movie theater?

0:16

Miles: That’s a great way to put it. We often have this two-dimensional view of power in the Islamic Republic, but Narges Bajoghli’s work shows something much more complex. Imagine being a pro-regime filmmaker and realizing that more than half of your country wasn't even alive for the 1979 Revolution. How do you sell a "founding ideology" to a generation that just isn't listening anymore?

0:39

Nia: Exactly! It’s this fascinating paradox. They’re moving away from old-school propaganda and actually trying to use music videos and thrillers to "win hearts and minds." But does it work, or are they just talking to themselves?

0:53

Miles: That’s the big question. We’re going to look at how these media producers are desperately trying to reframe the regime’s story to avoid "turning into Syria." Let’s dive into how they’re using cinema to navigate this massive generational divide.

Beyond the Caricature of Power

The Crucible of the Imposed War

The Art of Dissimulation and Hiding the Fingerprints

The Securitized Hero and the Myth of Soleimani

The "Khodi" and the "Gheyr-e Khodi" Divide

The "Soft War" and the Global Media Landscape

Lessons for the Analytical Listener

Closing Reflections on a Reframed Iran

This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member

Input question

Based off Bajoghli’s books on iran

Host voices

Nia

Miles

Learning style

Deep

Knowledge sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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@Pitiful

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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