Al-Mada, Iraq, January 2
The Iranian regime is devious and cunning and it is time we all say this out loud. Iran’s sympathizers around the world, who have stood by the mullahs and defended them, would better serve the Iranian people by finally admitting that those in power must be toppled. Look at how the current wave of popular uprisings throughout the country is being crushed. The ordinary men and women who took to the streets to express their anger at a tyrannical regime that abuses their basic rights were met by brute force. While the images flowing out of Iran—depicting regime forces completely crushing the uprising—are troubling, we must not forget that similar photos have been captured in other regional capitals, such as Cairo, Tripoli, Sana’a and Tunis. Over the past decade, we have seen Arab despots fall from power after years of autocratic rule, including Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, Libya’s Muammar Qaddafi and Yemen’s Ali Abdullah Saleh, to name a few. Iran will be no exception to this rule, as living in the country has become unbearable. Unemployment rates have skyrocketed in recent years, leaving many people unable to provide for themselves and their families. Crime and substance abuse have become widespread while infrastructure is completely lacking. The benefits associated with the lifting of sanctions on Iran have not trickled down to the average citizen. We might not see the revolution succeed this time but the moment will eventually come. Ultimately, the mullahs, just like other tyrants in the region, will be toppled and brought to justice. – Wael Kandil