|
Trending Topics
|
Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22713/iran-cashing-chips-won-in-war
The Islamic Republic Has Been Defeated in War and Knows It
(Gatestone Institute) Amir Taheri - U.S. administrations tried a number of schemes to prevent the Islamic Republic from becoming a clear and present danger in the future. They imagined that down the line, Tehran's rulers, besotted by a deadly ideology, would develop intercontinental ballistic missiles, fit them with nuclear warheads, and threaten to hit New York. Seen from the U.S. and many other countries, especially in the region, the Islamic Republic is a deadly threat. Faced with such a foe, the worst thing to do is wound him but let him live. With such a foe, you either kill him or transform him into a friend. After almost half a century, it must now be clear to all that the Khomeinist regime is incapable of reforming itself unless it is for the worse. The negotiating process is at a dead end. Those in Tehran who might want a deal don't have the power to do so. And those who have the power don't want a deal. The good news is that for the first time, the idea of regime change is gaining traction inside Iran, even within the regime's core support base. If Trump cannot change the regime in Tehran, it doesn't mean that Iranians can't either. The Islamic Republic has been defeated in this war and knows it. And defeat in war is often a prelude to regime change. The writer was executive editor-in-chief of the daily Kayhan in Iran from 1972 to 1979.