Charles Wald outlines a pressing issue regarding Iran’s clerical regime and its growing military capabilities. He emphasizes the importance of strategic planning in dealing with potential threats. Wald aptly notes that “hope is not a plan,” demanding that the U.S. and its allies take decisive actions to prepare for future conflicts rather than rely solely on diplomatic efforts.
Wald highlights recent comments from Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, who claimed that Iran has expanded its missile capabilities. This comes despite reports indicating a significant reduction due to past conflicts. This bravado might be an attempt by the Iranian regime to project strength and maintain its stature in the region, even as it faces internal opposition.
The author points out the regime’s two pillars of survival: “regional aggression and domestic repression.” Both pillars are weakening as the Iranian populace exhibits increased resistance to the mullahs’ rule. The widespread uprisings since 2018 reveal the regime’s vulnerability, suggesting that its threats are signs of desperation rather than strength.
Wald further stresses the need for clarity among policymakers. He argues that the United States and its allies must recognize the limitations of diplomacy in dealing with a regime that has historically relied on violence to maintain power. There exists a critical choice: to prepare for conflict or to support the Iranian people’s aspirations for a change in governance.
The author depicts the 2022 uprising as a pivotal moment that should have prompted Western support for democratic aspirations in Iran, rather than passive acknowledgment of the regime’s actions. The resulting silence from Western capitals allowed the regime to react with repression, leading to further human rights violations. Wald emphasizes, “Tehran fears its own people far more than it fears any foreign adversary,” suggesting that the greatest challenge to the regime comes from within.
Upcoming events like the Free Iran Convention, which will convene in Washington, D.C., serve as opportunities for Iranian communities to unite in their vision for democracy and reform. Wald highlights Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, which promotes essential rights such as free elections, gender equality, and a non-nuclear Iran. This plan represents a non-military approach to dismantle the regime’s aggressive posture.
In his concluding remarks, Wald reflects on his military experience, reinforcing the need for preparedness, not just for conflict but as a pathway to sustainable peace. He insists that the strategic foresight of the West should align with the courage demonstrated by the Iranian people. The ultimate question remains: will the West act decisively before the current tension escalates into war once more?
Wald’s analysis serves as a wake-up call for policymakers, urging a shift in focus from mere containment to empowering the people of Iran, who have demonstrated their desire for freedom amid oppressive circumstances. The stakes are high, and the time for action is now.
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