A Word of Caution Re: Iran Protests

Be weary of those who are shedding crocodile tears for Iranians protesting in Iran, and talk about democracy and human rights. “Democracy” and “human rights” are talking points that certain people use as a battering ram against their enemies. In reality, many such people could care less about Iran and Iranians, and only speak in solidarity with them because they have their own political agendas.

Take, for instance, the leaked State Department memo published by Politico: “…The U.S. should use human rights as a club against its adversaries, like Iran, China and North Korea, while giving a pass to repressive allies like the Philippines, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.”

Or take the Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK/MKO) organization, the leader of which blocked me on Twitter months ago after disliking my civil tweets. In other words, the MKO champions freedom and democracy in Iran but its leadership can’t handle a 140-character tweet (screenshot below).

Or take Bill Kristol, a key ideologue of the neo-conservatives who has advocated for bombing Iran, is now talking about “the Iranian people,”–to which he was taken to task by Trita Parsi.

Or Netanyahu, who posted a video of himself supporting the protests in Iran, while his government charges a 16-year-old with 12 counts for objecting to Israeli occupation forces.

Or Trump, who signed the world’s largest arms deal–to the tune of $110 billion–with the head choppers in Saudi Arabia, and who has repeatedly tried to ban Iranians from coming to the US, all of sudden cares about Iranian protesters.

Democracy, human rights, and freedom are indeed important, but question the motives of those who lack the credibility to speak about such important matters.

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