Iranians chant ‘death to dictator’ in biggest unrest since crushing of protests in 2009

[CaptFun]

Iranians chant ‘death to dictator’ in biggest unrest since crushing of protests in 2009 | Iran | The Guardian

Iranians took to the streets for a third day of anti-government protests in what appeared to be the biggest domestic political challenge to Tehran’s leaders since the 2009 Green movement was crushed by security forces.

In 2009 Obama passively backed up the Iranian government (as opposed to the protesters) by signaling the US would keep out of any internal disputes in Iran.

Later, when similar protests struck longtime US ally Egypt … Obama praised the Muslim Brotherhood and invoked the term “Arab Spring” in backing the temporarily successful protesters in ousting President Mubarak. That new regime ushered in a brief reign of terror, particularly for Egyptian Christians (as I recall it) … but was eventually pushed out by the Egyptian military.

Trump has at least given lip service support to the protesters. Some Iranian’s seem to be opting for an Iran first sort of thing, protesting foreign involvement in Syria and several other Iran backed political and military escapades (while the people of Iran waited for domestic relief).

Regime change to a more inward looking Iran leadership could pull the rug out on many terrorist groups that the present “revolutionary” government still supports.

Before the other Ayatollah Khomeini took power in 1979, Iran was a US ally and quite a forward looking western nation (despite being not quite so Democratically developed under the Shah than nations NOT in the shadow of the former USSR and threatened by, what we now know to be, radicals and terrorists with a worse agenda.) < IMO.

Similar demonstrations are taking place in formerly prosperous Venezuela too.

Sometimes Trump has looked like he’s going to step away from the previous US positions of global involvements. Still, he’s stepped away decidedly from Obama’s “leading from behind” posture too. And lately has reversed course on supporting NATO and passively (?) sending arms to the Ukraine.

SO far, his tweets on Iran are mere encouragement from afar. But suddenly Iran is surrounded by victorious troops in Iraq, Afghanistan that could support the growing rebel movement(s).

Wonder if the Trump administration or the US military leaders have the equivalent of an Oliver North working on behalf of any “freedom fighters” at present.

Your thoughts?

 

[Theo520]

We need to be very cautious in pushing for regime change. The last 10 yrs shows we have a very poor record and can cause much harm after the regime change.

 

[CaptFun]

Although its hard for me to imagine a worse regime than one that foments terrorism as its most recognizable export … I suppose such IS possible. Felt the way about Saddam and was glad when he fell. Didn’t foresee the aftermath … which was largely funded and supported by this Iranian regime and its Syrian and independent terror allies though.

So far Trump hasn’t called for regime change … in a revolution or intervention anyway.

He has weighed in with these recent tweets:

Donald J. Trump
(@realDonaldTrump)
Many reports of peaceful protests by Iranian citizens fed up with regime’s corruption & its squandering of the nation’s wealth to fund terrorism abroad. Iranian govt should respect their people’s rights, including right to express themselves. The world is watching! #IranProtests
2 days ago · Twitter

Donald J. Trump
(@realDonaldTrump)
Big protests in Iran. The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. Looks like they will not take it any longer. The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!
1 day ago · Twitter

Donald J. Trump
(@realDonaldTrump)
Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the Iranian people will face a choice. The world is watching! pic.twitter.com/kvv1uAq…
2 days ago · Twitter

USA Today updates the story today with this:

Iran unrest threatens Tehran tyrants. Can protesters win this time?

Iran unrest threatens Tehran’s tyrants. Can protesters drive them out?

I would welcome a “Persian Spring” that peacefully ushers out the nightmare regime that has, with no major changes, ruled over Iran and encouraged exported terrorism since 1979. Blessings upon the people of Iran and all who hope for peace, freedom and charity towards their neighbors. (“Death to the Tyrants” slogans notwithstanding)

 

[DaveBj]

FNC was reporting this morning that some of the demonstrators are changing “Pahlavi! Pahlavi!” (the family name of the Shah).

D

 

[lmachine]

We need to be very cautious in pushing for regime change. The last 10 yrs shows we have a very poor record and can cause much harm after the regime change.

Not to mention Iran got to where it is today because of the U.S.-orchestrated regime change in 1953.