Is a Regime Change Necessary in Iran

Should Israel press ahead with necessitating a regime change in Iran or should they settle for a return to the negotiating table with the current theocracy? Let’s go back a bit in history: In 1984 one of my jobs was as a war watcher in the Iran/Iraq war. I followed the day to day disposition of the troops on both sides of the conflict toted up battle losses as what were generally battles fought to stalemates occurred. One of the things I noticed over time was the Iranian 55th armored brigade always seemed to be positioned in reserver just behind the forward lines of the Pasdaran forces that would charge the Iraqi lines in suicide attacks. Remarkably, I never saw the 55th move into support the Pasdaran but it was always there.

I came to learn through other intelligence sources that the 55th was not actually a reserve element supporting the attacks on Iraq but was, in fact, positioned to keep the Pasdaran forces from retreating. They had orders to fire upon any mass retreat that might occur in the course of battle. I have no proof that they ever did but given the insane desire of the mostly teenage Pasdaran troopers to achieve martyrdom it was unlikely they would suddenly have a primordial revelation about religion and turn away from their objectives on the battlefield. I have seen photographic evidence of Iraqi artillery firing 155 millimeter canister charges directly into the human wave attacks and still being overrun, so great was the religious fervor of the attackers.

My point is simple: This theocratic oligarchy was prepared to kill their own troops and in using human wave assaults did just that. Oddly, I could say the same thing about the British, French and Germans in the First World War with their madness of charging into position protected by machine guns. That was really a stupid war fought by people who didn’t mind sacrificing the best and brightest of their generations. But this is not the time for me to expound on the, is there a stronger word than stupid, first World War. What is appropriate is to note that this particular Iranian regime has attempted to encircle Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. It supplied money and weapons to Hezbollah which helped prop us Assad in Syria. It is supplying weapons and money to Hamas in Gaza and to the Houthis in Yemen and its intelligence apparatus has been putting its fingerprints on the civil war in Sudan in an effort to increase the regime’s influence there.

Regrettably much of what Iran has been able to do was abetted by two former U.S. presidential administrations. I’m happy to debate anyone who thinks the previous Democratic administrations did not enable Iran in its nuclear ambitions while transferring hundreds of millions of dollars that went into Iran’s provision of support for Hamas and Hezbollah and well as its nuclear program. Remember, this was my bailiwick for years and if you think, even for a New York minute, that a regime of Shia theocrats is going to honor any agreement it makes then I’ve got a bridge in New York I’d like to sell you. For those of you not familiar with the Shia branch of Islam, let me point out that it is permissible to lie in order to protect yourself or the faith. It’s known as Taqiyya. Pretty easy out there since Iran is a theocracy and the faith is the nation.

So, ask yourself, do you want to do business with people you know won’t keep an agreement or would you rather have some other form of regime with which to negotiate. There are all sorts of problems attendant to changing types of government but most things would be preferable to a government that calls for the extinction of a religion and a people and has nuclear capability. Think about this as well, if this regime goes away so too will Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthi’s ability to make war although Russia and China are sneaking around in the background here. I understand China has been providing rocket fuel to Iran for the ballistic missiles and we know of the Russia-Iran lash up. Still, there is no question H cubed will be pretty much hamstrung for some time.

Seldom do such opportunities come along. Let’s not squander this one by letting the politicians muddle it up. The theocrats seized power in a revolution; they can be unseated in the same manner. Up the secularists!!