Freedom fighters vs. dissidents in Iran Column by Shahram Ahmadi Nasab Emran Understanding contemporary Iran and crafting a successful Iran policy require making a key distinction between organized freedom fighters devoted to the cause of bringing about change in Iran, and various groups and individuals who dislike the ruling regime. If we equate all dissidents under the umbrella term “Iranian opposition,” we only complicate our ability to recognize and work with viable pro-change forces. The terminology can be misleading. A key distinction needs to be made between freedom fighters and dissidents. Dissidents are those groups and individuals who are not happy with the current state of affairs. There is no question that the majority of Iranians and almost all Iranian groups in the diaspora fit in the category of dissidents. Dissatisfaction with the status quo...