The imperative of regime change in Iran
If we want freedom and stability in our future, there is no other choice. For Israel, a détente between the U.S. and a post-regime Iran could herald a new era of diplomatic possibilities and security dynamics. Opinion.
Erfan Fard is a counter-terrorism analyst and Middle East Studies researcher based in Washington, DC. an expert in Middle Eastern regional security affairs with a particular focus on Iran, Counter terrorism, IRGC, MOIS and Ethnic conflicts in MENA. He graduated in International Security Studies (London M. University, UK), and in International Relations (CSU-LA). He is fluent in Persian, Kurdish, Arabic and English. / Follow him in this twitter account @EQFARD
The Islamic Republic of Iran stands at a crossroads, marked by its profound disconnect from the global march towards human rights. This regime, entrenched in power for over four decades, has systematically prioritized ideological dogmatism over the well-being and aspirations of its people. Its policies—both domestic and international—have not only stifled the voices of its citizens but have also posed a continuous threat to regional peace and global stability.
Iran's governance, characterized by autocratic rule, suppression of dissent, and egregious human rights abuses, underscores a clear and present need for change. The regime's relentless pursuit of nuclear capabilities, coupled with its support for proxy militias across the Middle East, exemplifies its disregard for international norms and the security of its neighbors. These actions, taken in the name of preserving theocratic rule, have isolated Iran, drawing severe economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation, which in turn, have plunged the Iranian populace into economic hardship and social unrest.
The call for regime change is, therefore, not merely political rhetoric but a clarion call for fundamental human rights and dignity. The international community's response must be calibrated and multifaceted, aiming not only to dismantle the oppressive structures of the regime but also to pave the way for a democratic and peaceful Iran. This involves strategic economic sanctions targeted at the regime's lifelines, diplomatic endeavors to isolate it further on the international stage, and robust support for a unified and democratic opposition.
However, the path to regime change is fraught with complexities. It demands a nuanced understanding of Iran's political landscape, a commitment to non-interventionist principles, and a concerted effort to empower the Iranian people to lead the charge for change. The goal should not be to impose a new order from the outside but to support the Iranian populace in their quest for a government that reflects their aspirations, respects human rights, and adheres to democratic principles.
Moreover, the narrative surrounding regime change must be reframed. It is not a call for military intervention but a plea for the international community to stand in solidarity with the Iranian people. It is a challenge to global powers to rethink their strategies, ensuring that their actions do not exacerbate the suffering of the Iranian people but instead contribute to a peaceful transition of power.
In the complex geopolitical landscape, Saudi Arabia and Israel have made attempts to engage with high-ranking Iranian military officials and ministers, seeking to shift the balance of power internally; however, these efforts have been systematically rebuffed by the regime, showcasing the challenges of influencing Iran's tightly controlled political structure.
Restoring relations between Iran and the United States to their pre-1979 status presents a significant strategic advantage for both Israel and the U.S., fundamentally reshaping the Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape. Prior to the Iranian Revolution, the U.S. and Iran maintained a close alliance that facilitated regional stability, advanced mutual economic interests, particularly in oil, and provided a counterbalance to Soviet influence.
For Israel, a détente between the U.S. and a post-regime Iran could herald a new era of diplomatic possibilities and security dynamics.
A normalization of ties could lead to Iran distancing itself from anti-Israeli groups, reducing security threats to Israel and potentially paving the way for dialogue or indirect cooperation on shared regional concerns. For the U.S., re-established relations with Iran could unlock significant economic opportunities, enhance energy security, and contribute to a more stable Middle East, benefiting U.S. strategic interests and allies, including Israel.
Moreover, such a change could facilitate a broader regional realignment, with Iran potentially rejoining the international community as a constructive actor, contributing to counter-terrorism efforts, and stabilizing regional flashpoints. This scenario would not only benefit U.S. and Israeli strategic interests but also offer a pathway to resolving long-standing regional conflicts and fostering a more secure and prosperous Middle East.
In envisioning a post-regime Iran, we must look towards a future that holds the regime accountable for its actions, respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran, and ensures the establishment of a democratic system. This new Iran would not only mend its relations with the international community but also play a constructive role in regional stability and global peace.
The necessity of regime change in Iran is, therefore, evident. It transcends political ideologies and represents a fundamental aspiration for freedom, dignity, and peace. The international community, guided by a principled approach and a commitment to the Iranian people's aspirations, must play a supportive role in this historic transition. The path ahead is undoubtedly challenging, but the pursuit of a democratic, peaceful, and prosperous Iran is a cause worth championing.
In conclusion, regime change in Iran is imperative for the well-being of its people and the stability of the region. It is a call for freedom, a demand for justice, and a step towards a more peaceful world. The international community must stand in solidarity with the Iranian people, supporting their rightful aspirations for democracy and human dignity.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After Ramadan, the IDF should proceed, destroy Ramallah, kill or capture the few Hamas leaders and destroy their several remaining divisions and assume all the hostages are dead as they most likely are.
It is critical for Israel to be in a position of declaring they have won. That is a necessary message that will resonate with nations already signatories of the Abraham Accords or wiling to become members and who want to align with Israel in every aspect.
The IAF just released a report stating they have attacked over 30,000 targets since Oct. 7.
+++
HONEST REPORTING
Media Distort Israel’s Refusal To Be Bullied Into Rewarding Unrepentant Terrorists |
Following indications by the likes of the United Kingdom and France that they could formally recognize a Palestinian state without Israel’s approval, the Israeli government issued a statement in response.
Some media, however, skewed their coverage to falsely claim that Israel was rejecting outright the possibility of a future Palestinian state.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Before the 2024 election is behind us and, hopefully, we find out who has won, the Chinese will probably have enough illegal immigrants running loose in our country to constitute an army.
I seriously doubt they came here to work in the rice fields of Louisiana.
+++
Israel’s 136th Day of War
By Sherwin Pomerantz
Yesterday, Sunday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the IDF has defeated two Hamas battalions in the city of Khan Younis, with over 200 terrorists surrendering and, in many cases, literally laying down their arms. According to Israeli intelligence, Hamas had 24 battalions (units of about 1,000 fighters) when the war began, of which six remain: four in Rafah, at Gaza’s southern tip, and two in the central part of the Strip. The IDF has now turned its attention to the latter, presumably in preparation for the final assault on Rafah.
Meanwhile, at the Munich Security Conference—an annual gathering of statesmen, military officers, and assorted grandees that bills itself as the “leading forum for debating the most pressing challenges to international security”—the Palestinian Authority/s (PA) prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh stressed the need for unity between his government and Hamas. Shtayyeh dodged questions about reforming the PA, said he looks forward to meeting with Hamas officials in Moscow next week, and called for the world to stop paying attention to the October 7 massacres. American plans for a two-state solution rest on reforming the PA and replacing its current president, Mahmoud Abbas, with a more reasonable figure. Like Shtayyeh, for instance…..get it?
Israel has announced its outrage over the obscene remarks made by Brazilian president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva comparing our actions in Gaza to Hitler’s genocide against the Jews in the runup to WW II and during the war itself. Quite amazing that the country that made a home to so many ex-Nazis after the war ended should now point a finger at Israel. The Brazilian ambassador to Israel has been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a reprimand. Brazil’s president has now been declared persona non grata and cannot enter Israel should he wish to do so.
The Iran-backed Houthis continued to escalate their attacks today with a new attack on a ship off the coast of Yemen. The Houthis claimed they struck the ship Rubymar off the coast. According to Arab News, “Yemen’s Houthis targeted the Rubymar cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, and it is now at risk of sinking, the group’s military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement on Monday. The ship is British, and the crew are safe, he said, adding the Houthis had also shot down a US drone in Hodeidah.”
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported the crew had abandoned a ship off Yemen after an explosion. “The attack on the ship came as the US military acknowledged conducting new airstrikes targeting the militia, including one that targeted the first Houthi underwater drone seen since the militias began launching their attacks on shipping in November,” Arab News noted.
Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and has enforced a policy of apartheid against Palestinians for years, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said on Monday at the opening of a week of hearings by the International Court of Justice in the Hague on Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. "Allowing this to continue is unacceptable," Al-Maliki said. "It is a moral and legal obligation to bring it to a prompt end." Israel decided not to send a representative to the hearings to defend its position.
Future Leadership
Today I want to call attention to Sigalit Shavit, COO of KTrust, a pioneer in continuous threat exposure for Kubernetes (K8s) environments. Formerly the Global Chief Information Technology Officer at CyberArk, a cybersecurity company founded in 1999 serving more than 4,400 global businesses. Sigalit was responsible for providing and managing the information technology and security infrastructure that enables CyberArk’s business objectives.
Previously, Sigalit served as Global CIO and Head of DevOps at ECI Telecom Ltd. And before ECI, she served as Vice President and CIO of FedEx, Israel.
She has more than 26 years of executive and IT inter-disciplinary experience, having demonstrated an innate ability to tightly align the technology roadmaps of IT organizations with business objectives.
Sigalit was named one of the the Top 25 Women Leaders in Cybersecurity both in 2019 and 2020 by the Software Report and one of 10 Key Female Cybersecurity Leaders to Know in 2020 by Solution Review.
Sigalit hold a BSc. in Industrial Engineering and Information Systems from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.
If anybody doubts that we don’t have good people who could be tapped for national leadership in a new post-war government, these profiles should certainly allay all of those fears. Now the challenge will be to get them to agree to serve which we need them to do as the response to what happened on October 7th.
Please take a few minutes and view this moving historical record and tribute to those who were killed or captured.
No one and no country is perfect, but for some reason Israel is always expected to be. Click on the link below to find out Rabbi Posner’s take.
Bill
http://tinyurl.com/5fxy4jsv
May the lives of those who perpetrated this massacre be cursed, as it is written, “Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed and whoever curses Israel will be cursed” (Numbers 24:9)+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++No one and no country is perfect, but for some reason Israel is always expected to be. Click on the link below to find out Rabbi Posner’s take.
B---
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No comments:
Post a Comment