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Iran: The People Suffer as Billions Go to Waste
(Forbes) Heshmat Alavi - The world's most powerful earthquake in 2017 shook Iran's western province of Kermanshah, leaving at least several hundred people killed - while posts on social media showed locals speaking of the death toll being in the thousands - and scores more injured. At least 85,000 earthquake victims are enduring dire circumstances, with 18,000 homes completely destroyed and another 50,000 suffering major damage. Yet after more than six weeks, only 1,500 trailers have been sent and installed in the quake-stricken area. Meanwhile, Iran allocates billions to prop up the Assad regime in Syria, fund the Lebanese Hizbullah, support Yemen's Houthis, and back Shiite militias in Iraq. This goes alongside further billions pumped into an unnecessary nuclear program and a dangerous ballistic missile drive. On Thursday, a large number of protesters took to the streets in Mashhad, Neyshabur, Kashmar and Birjand in northeast Iran, protesting unemployment, poverty, and skyrocketing prices. Protesters also chanted, "Death to Rouhani" and "Death to the Dictator," in reference to the regime's president and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.