Iran’s brave young women must break their own chains. The west won’t help | Simon Tisdall

The uprising against Tehran's vile regime could fail like those in Hong Kong, Belarus, Egypt and Syria - but this time something feels different

In Hong Kong in 2019-20, millions took to the streets to oppose the repressive actions of an authoritarian regime. But ultimately their voices were silenced, their leaders jailed and China stripped away their democratic rights - as western leaders looked on, wringing their hands.

In Belarus, nationwide protests erupted when a cruel dictator stole the 2020 election. The UN said hundreds of people were abused, tortured, raped. But the dictator, Alexander Lukashenko, propped up by his loathsome buddy in Moscow, remains truculently in power.