The Technology of Tyranny

Given that the Iran hostage crisis is one of our formative memories, we’ve taken a keen interest in the recent tumult on the streets of Tehran. Of particular note has been the regime’s effective use of technology to foil grassroots communications. First the mullahs shut off text messaging and The Tubes, then they actually managed to squelch incoming satellite transmissions—thereby insuring that Iranian dish owners can’t get a Western perspective on the protests.

Satellite jamming is no mean feat,