Iranian Mullah Makes Biden a Lifeline

Like many great opportunities, it comes unexpectedly. The Middle East has been a miserable place for Team Biden. The failure to get the Iranians onboard to the new nuclear deal, the shambolic withdrawal from Afghanistan, Muhammad bin Salman’s shameful fistfight over price hikes, Benjamin Netanyahu’s election victory, etc. Joe Biden in the Middle East nothing went as planned.

This embarrassing series of failures underscored the administration’s determination to downgrade the Middle East as a strategic priority. But the Middle East refuses to remain silent.

Blowing away a Biden administration threat dating back to last summer, Iran is selling advanced drones to Russia for use in its war with Ukraine. These drones will enable Russia’s latest strike on Ukraine’s power infrastructure, threaten to shut down Ukrainian industry, and keep civilians away from light and heat as winter approaches. As noted, Russia helped Iran’s position in Syria in 2015 by strengthening Bashar al-Assad’s criminal regime. Now Iran is returning the favor by backing Russia’s flagrant illegal attack on Ukraine.

Enter the Iranian women whose resistance to clerical prejudice opens the door to a new era for Iran and even world history.

I don’t know if the Iranian protesters can win. The track record of democratic revolutions across the Middle East has been anything but inspiring, and Iranian protesters have yet to unite behind a single leadership group or political program. It is the right thing to do and the best way to advance American interests at a critical time, using all diplomatic and economic means to support the Iranian people’s fight for freedom.

Now is the time to act. Iran’s arrogant and incompetent rulers are isolated like never before. Their ruthlessness at home has silenced regime advocates across the West. Their cynical alliance with Vladimir Putin makes them hostile not only to Europe but also to America. Their unconscionable attitude at the nuclear negotiating table convinced most Europeans that Iran, not the United States, was the main obstacle to a reasonable deal. The combination of stability has convinced sensible European corporations that the current regime is a bad bet.

The White House’s resolute support of the Iranian people would have many useful options to pursue. Collaborate diplomatically with Europe for a “snapback” of UN sanctions to punish Iran, arm Russia, crack down on black market Iranian oil exports, or otherwise economically cripple the regime This undermines the regime in a time of crisis. would support the sect. Taking steps to restore internet services, which the regime has sought to shut down, and providing other non-violent, non-military assistance to pro-democracy-minded protesters, will help the Iranian people US cooperation with interested neighbors will support protests, make life more difficult for Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah, and provide more for both Russia and Iran. It can put pressure on you.

The end of the clerical dictatorship that has ravaged the lives of the Iranian people and plagued peace in the Middle East since 1979 is a no-brainer for the United States, its Middle Eastern allies, and the cause of freedom around the world. It will be a blessing. Russia loses access to some of the missiles it hopes will crush Ukraine. Russia’s position in Syria will become unsustainable and Assad’s dictatorship will face due recognition.

Pressure on global fuel prices will diminish dramatically as Iranian oil returns to the market. Iran’s reintegration into the global economy will provide a historic opportunity for Europe and other businesses in difficult times. The United States can reduce its military footprint in the Middle East without compromising the security of allies. China will ponder the resilience of American power. A world order that currently seems fragile will suddenly appear more robust.

There are risks in helping the Iranian people, but America’s current Iran policy is only certain to fail. Mullah has provided President Biden with an unprecedented opportunity. Let’s hope he grabs it with both hands.