Farris Ahmad
President Trump is Right about Iran
Iran was once revered for their cultural and artistic prowess prior to 1979. Although life under the Shah was far from perfect, Iran resembled a colorful, vibrant kingdom on the brink of change. The Shah embraced western values, promulgating women’s suffrage and ending child marriage. Women were free to drive, ride bikes, and dress as they wished. Powerful religious leaders recognized the Shah’s aspiration towards adopting western values, and viewed these goals as a stark contrast to Islamic values, which systematically oppress women with mandatory veiling and marginalized representation, and multiple examples of inferiority to their male counterparts in traditional texts. Among these religious leaders was the Ayatollah Khomeini, who in 1964 began an anti United States and anti Shah campaign. Khomeini’s message spread like a wildfire, and resonated with the masses. Massive protests and strikes shut down the economy, as over two million Iranians marched in Iran demanding the Shah to step down, and the return of Khomeini from exile. In 1979, the Ayatollah Khomeini took over control, paving the way towards Islamic law, and disengagement from western powers. Although he improved literacy in Iran, Khomeini also imposed censorship and significantly subsided the rights of women. The Revolutionary Guard instilled fear into the people, and ensured political dissent would be met with violence. Since then, Iran has been an oppressive theocracy.
In 2009, the Iranian Presidential Election resulted in the victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has called for the eradication of Israel off the world map. Iranians, highly skeptical of the result, declared the votes fraudulent, initiating a wave of protests. The protesters were met with harsh resistance from the government, who arrested thousands of dissidents, many of whom were opposition leaders, and middle class voters. While reports vary, anywhere between 27 and 150 protesters were killed, including Neda Soltan, a 26 year old protester whose death was broadcast on social media and sent shockwaves throughout the world. President Obama simply called the video “heartbreaking” and once again asserted the United States will not meddle in Iranian affairs, quashing any capacity for a revolution. The protests inevitably faded as the regime used its brute force against the people, and the western world remained quiet. U.N. Secretary General Moon went as far as to write Ahmadinejad a congratulatory letter on his victory, as moral atrocities continued in Iran. Sadly, President Obama did nothing to foster the protests. As the leader of a country which prides itself as the promulgator of freedom and liberty, President Obama’s lack of support for the protesters was discouraging.
Surprisingly, President Trump’s policy on Iran has thus far been rooted in reality. Hopes for a moderate Iranian government is a fantasy. Rouhani’s regime has executed upwards of 2,000 people, according to Politico. Rouhani continues to lead the world in per capita executions, and jails Iranians for converting to Christianity. Women are banned from riding bicycles and wearing revealing clothing. “Moderate” Rouhani has propped up mass murderer Bashar Al-Assad in Syria and has continued to fund proxy wars throughout the Middle East, wreaking havoc in an already unstable region.
Over the last several weeks, the Iranian people have once again displayed their relentless pursuit of moderation, as protests have swept numerous cities throughout Iran. While other protests have been largely fueled by the usual middle class, these protests have been fueled by young conservatives in rural areas which have long supported the Ayatollah and his regime, giving it a unique strength and posing an unprecedented threat to the brutal theocracy.
More than ever, the potential to dismantle this regime has never been greater. Contrary to Obama’s passive language in 2009, Trump has asserted his administration's strong support for the protesters in Iran in a series of Tweets, as well as on the world stage during his speech to the U.N., condemning Iran’s behavior in the Middle East. More than 20 protesters have already died at the hands of the Revolutionary Guard. The government has shut down Twitter, Facebook, and most other social media platforms. While the people have been silenced, President Trump seems to be the only voice speaking on behalf of the Iranians, and for that, he must be applauded. Women are protesting on the streets without hijabs, a form of protest with real risk involved, and these women should be hailed as heroes. The United States can no longer watch silently as moral atrocities continue in Iran. Hopefully, others will follow Trump’s leadership on Iran.
Iran was once revered for their cultural and artistic prowess prior to 1979. Although life under the Shah was far from perfect, Iran resembled a colorful, vibrant kingdom on the brink of change. The Shah embraced western values, promulgating women’s suffrage and ending child marriage. Women were free to drive, ride bikes, and dress as they wished. Powerful religious leaders recognized the Shah’s aspiration towards adopting western values, and viewed these goals as a stark contrast to Islamic values, which systematically oppress women with mandatory veiling and marginalized representation, and multiple examples of inferiority to their male counterparts in traditional texts. Among these religious leaders was the Ayatollah Khomeini, who in 1964 began an anti United States and anti Shah campaign. Khomeini’s message spread like a wildfire, and resonated with the masses. Massive protests and strikes shut down the economy, as over two million Iranians marched in Iran demanding the Shah to step down, and the return of Khomeini from exile. In 1979, the Ayatollah Khomeini took over control, paving the way towards Islamic law, and disengagement from western powers. Although he improved literacy in Iran, Khomeini also imposed censorship and significantly subsided the rights of women. The Revolutionary Guard instilled fear into the people, and ensured political dissent would be met with violence. Since then, Iran has been an oppressive theocracy.
In 2009, the Iranian Presidential Election resulted in the victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has called for the eradication of Israel off the world map. Iranians, highly skeptical of the result, declared the votes fraudulent, initiating a wave of protests. The protesters were met with harsh resistance from the government, who arrested thousands of dissidents, many of whom were opposition leaders, and middle class voters. While reports vary, anywhere between 27 and 150 protesters were killed, including Neda Soltan, a 26 year old protester whose death was broadcast on social media and sent shockwaves throughout the world. President Obama simply called the video “heartbreaking” and once again asserted the United States will not meddle in Iranian affairs, quashing any capacity for a revolution. The protests inevitably faded as the regime used its brute force against the people, and the western world remained quiet. U.N. Secretary General Moon went as far as to write Ahmadinejad a congratulatory letter on his victory, as moral atrocities continued in Iran. Sadly, President Obama did nothing to foster the protests. As the leader of a country which prides itself as the promulgator of freedom and liberty, President Obama’s lack of support for the protesters was discouraging.
Surprisingly, President Trump’s policy on Iran has thus far been rooted in reality. Hopes for a moderate Iranian government is a fantasy. Rouhani’s regime has executed upwards of 2,000 people, according to Politico. Rouhani continues to lead the world in per capita executions, and jails Iranians for converting to Christianity. Women are banned from riding bicycles and wearing revealing clothing. “Moderate” Rouhani has propped up mass murderer Bashar Al-Assad in Syria and has continued to fund proxy wars throughout the Middle East, wreaking havoc in an already unstable region.
Over the last several weeks, the Iranian people have once again displayed their relentless pursuit of moderation, as protests have swept numerous cities throughout Iran. While other protests have been largely fueled by the usual middle class, these protests have been fueled by young conservatives in rural areas which have long supported the Ayatollah and his regime, giving it a unique strength and posing an unprecedented threat to the brutal theocracy.
More than ever, the potential to dismantle this regime has never been greater. Contrary to Obama’s passive language in 2009, Trump has asserted his administration's strong support for the protesters in Iran in a series of Tweets, as well as on the world stage during his speech to the U.N., condemning Iran’s behavior in the Middle East. More than 20 protesters have already died at the hands of the Revolutionary Guard. The government has shut down Twitter, Facebook, and most other social media platforms. While the people have been silenced, President Trump seems to be the only voice speaking on behalf of the Iranians, and for that, he must be applauded. Women are protesting on the streets without hijabs, a form of protest with real risk involved, and these women should be hailed as heroes. The United States can no longer watch silently as moral atrocities continue in Iran. Hopefully, others will follow Trump’s leadership on Iran.
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