What began in Iran as demonstrations against the dire state of the economy and the cost of living have escalated into a nationwide challenge to the Islamic Republic itself. Now, security forces are aggressively moving on the protesters, killing hundreds (according to a US-based rights group). Meanwhile, President Trump is mulling over military intervention. Abbas Milani, director of Iranian studies at Stanford and author of "The Shah," was held political prisoner by the former Shah's regime and eventually left Iran in 1986. He joins the show. 

Also on today's show: Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Chief Economist, WH Council of Economic Advisers Under Pres. George W. Bush; author Ben Markovits ("The Rest of Our Lives"); Shawn Hubler, Los Angeles Bureau Chief, The New York Times