Unfortunately, in the West we have two associated weaknesses. Firstly, we have become so arrogant about our western values that we complacently assume they are here to stay, embedded and don't need defending. Wrong. Secondly, we assume our values translate to others and/or only look at others through our own prism, again assuming it's relevance and validity. Again, wrong. And nowhere does this show itself so foolishly as in (the complex) matters of the Middle East, both over there, and as it increasingly relates to, and impacts, our own countries at home.
The point about the assumption of the brief unipolar moment, and arrogance and hubris in the immediate post-Cold War period that the answer to despotic regimes and ideologies was “more markets, more democracy”, needs to be more widely appreciated. You’ve nailed the fundamental categorical error at the heart of this delusion regarding the Islamic Republic, and the shifting balance of power to the axis of Türkiye, Syria, Qatar, and the IRI.
Short term expediency and lack of long term vision will be the end of us. Short term benefits can be realised immediately, long term costs are harder to project and internalise since the individuals making the decisions today will reap the benefits and let others bear the costs.
Unfortunately, in the West we have two associated weaknesses. Firstly, we have become so arrogant about our western values that we complacently assume they are here to stay, embedded and don't need defending. Wrong. Secondly, we assume our values translate to others and/or only look at others through our own prism, again assuming it's relevance and validity. Again, wrong. And nowhere does this show itself so foolishly as in (the complex) matters of the Middle East, both over there, and as it increasingly relates to, and impacts, our own countries at home.
The point about the assumption of the brief unipolar moment, and arrogance and hubris in the immediate post-Cold War period that the answer to despotic regimes and ideologies was “more markets, more democracy”, needs to be more widely appreciated. You’ve nailed the fundamental categorical error at the heart of this delusion regarding the Islamic Republic, and the shifting balance of power to the axis of Türkiye, Syria, Qatar, and the IRI.
Short term expediency and lack of long term vision will be the end of us. Short term benefits can be realised immediately, long term costs are harder to project and internalise since the individuals making the decisions today will reap the benefits and let others bear the costs.
100% agree
Excellent article Ali Siadatan!