iran must stop meddling and start governing
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Iran must stop meddling and start governing

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

iran must stop meddling and start governing

Fahad Nazer

Last week, as much of the world reflected on 2017 and looked forward to 2018, hundreds of Iranians demonstrated in the city of Mashhad against the Iranian government. While some analysts are suggesting that the demonstrations might have been initially orchestrated by opponents of President Hassan Rouhani, they quickly morphed into something with potentially long-lasting and far-reaching ramifications. Unlike the student protests of 1999 and “Green Revolution” of 2009, which were largely led by educated, urban elites in Tehran expressing their disapproval of what they considered to be the rigged election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the current wave of protests has spread far and wide. More worrisome for the regime, many of the people protesting come from cities that had been supportive of the government, including from the strongholds of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
What happens over the next few days and whether or not these protests become a fully-fledged uprising, or even a revolution that topples the government, is anyone’s guess. However, it has become clear that the regime’s refusal to abide by the norms, conventions and laws of international relations has not only turned it into an international pariah, it has also put whatever legitimacy it might still have in the eyes of Iranians in jeopardy. 
The protests are about to enter their second week. Unlike the last round of unrest in 2009, many more Iranians now have access to smartphones and are documenting the protests, as well as their suppression by authorities and the clashes with security forces. While even a cursory review of Iran’s modern history suggests that political unrest and violence are not new — after all, it was how the current regime came to power in 1979 — a number of Iranian observers are already marveling at the speed with which the protests spread and at the many diverse Iranian cities witnessing unrest. While most Iranian observers are reluctant to make any predictions, at least one prominent analyst quickly concluded that the government was in “deep trouble.” 
Six days into the protests, at least 21 people have died and hundreds have been injured and arrested. While Iranian security forces have once again resorted to violence to suppress the demonstrations, some protesters have set police cars on fire. There are dozens of videos showing clashes between the protesters and the dreaded Basij forces. At the same time, reports are suggesting that some security forces have refused to use violence against protesters. That has led some Iranian scholars and analysts to entertain the possibility that the regime might rely on some of the Shiite militias it has supported in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon. It is hard to see how the regime could survive politically and retain any semblance of legitimacy should it resort to such foreign mercenaries. 
In 2009, the protests were mostly motivated by politics. On the other hand, the current protests were spurred by economic stagnation, high unemployment, a wide perception of mismanagement and graft, and the inability of the Iranian government to improve economic conditions following its agreement with six other nations — including the US — requiring it to limit its nuclear energy activities in return for sanctions relief. Protesters have not only made their disapproval of the government, including Khamenei himself, known but they have also expressed anger at the regime’s continuing adventurism abroad, especially its interference in Syria and Lebanon. Many have called on the government to stop these foreign activities and to instead meet its obligations to the people of Iran by investing in the oil industry, the country’s ailing airline and other sectors of the economy. 
For its part, much of the international community has expressed support for the protesters. US President Donald Trump and his administration have been among the most vocal in condemning the Iranian government’s violent crackdown. Trump has issued several warnings via his Twitter account about violations of human rights, ending one such tweet by saying that the US “is watching.” There have also been admonishments against the Iranian government shutting down social media platforms like Telegram, which many protesters were using to communicate. 
While Rouhani has delivered some remarks that seem to acknowledge the protesters’ grievances, security officials have used the familiar language of threats. Even Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif, who often presents himself as the consummate diplomat, especially when addressing Western media or audiences, implied that these protests are somehow the work of outside parties, or “infiltrators” as he called them.
The Iranian regime should address the grievances of Iran’s proud people and act like a responsible international actor and government. Ultimately, what the people of Iran and the international community are demanding is not remotely unreasonable, nor is it difficult to achieve. The Iranian regime should stop its interference in the affairs of countries in the region, end its support for militant organizations and terrorist operations and instead focus its energy on providing a sense of hope for its predominantly young population.

 

GMT 09:55 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Washington chooses Syria as its battleground

GMT 09:52 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Road ahead full of danger as new front opens in Syria

GMT 09:43 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Now is the time to revive King’s beautiful struggle

GMT 09:15 2018 Monday ,22 January

US Syria policy leaves many questions unanswered

GMT 09:09 2018 Monday ,22 January

Spend a dollar, save a life

GMT 10:23 2018 Thursday ,18 January

65 Israeli laws that discriminate against non-Jews

GMT 09:52 2018 Thursday ,18 January

The dangerous entanglements of Idlib and Afrin
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

iran must stop meddling and start governing iran must stop meddling and start governing

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 08:57 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

To 'eternal style' of late Alaia

GMT 09:03 2017 Saturday ,04 November

Equifax says execs unaware of hack when they sold stock

GMT 08:13 2017 Friday ,03 March

Israeli photographer David Rubinger dead at 92

GMT 08:18 2017 Monday ,18 December

Judge Temporarily Blocks New rules

GMT 09:08 2017 Monday ,25 September

Le Pen, Wilders salute German hard right advance

GMT 13:05 2011 Sunday ,12 June

Emirati students lend a helping hand in Asia

GMT 14:53 2011 Tuesday ,12 July

Harry Smith joins NBC News team

GMT 10:49 2014 Sunday ,01 June

Gourmet dining comes to luxury sailing yachts

GMT 18:36 2011 Thursday ,28 July

Formula One driver Button optimistic

GMT 14:25 2011 Thursday ,09 June

Last night

GMT 13:05 2017 Thursday ,19 January

Forget World Cup heroics

GMT 18:58 2017 Thursday ,09 March

Nigerian soldier dies in anti-terrorism operations

GMT 12:29 2017 Thursday ,26 January

Trade tops agenda as British PM heads to meet Trump
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle