Verdict on Iran

So, Iran is experiencing some social division over their recent election. The news hails this as a sign of good for the future of Iran and it's government. Part of me is in agreement, but another part of me is sceptical. This is certainly not the first time that the U.S. has had some vested interest in the outcome of an election, war, or conflict in the Middle East. Usually, our hope for the outcome is that which supports our hope for continued hegemony in the area and the protection of our petroleum based interests. So, forgive me if I'm not all excited and pumped for the internal conflict going on. 

I'm not saying that I support the current regime. It is plenty reprehensible for injustices it has committed. But in looking at the current regime and their attitudes towards the U.S., isn't it only fair to judge their attitudes and actions in context to their history with us?

After 9/11, there were a slew of conservatives digging into the Koran for proof that Islam was a violent, hateful religion, and that "these people" were just "that way". Liberals kept wanting to learn more about Muslims and their culture to understand the radical actions. What troubled me was not the focus on Islam for good or bad reasons, but the lack of focus on our actions that may have contributed to a mindset. There was no slew of academics or cultural movement to study our past in the Middle East, our support of regimes, and our moves to maintain hegemony in the region. 

The U.S., from the backing of the installing of the Shah, to the propping up and taking down of Saddam, to almost unconditional backing of Zionist Israel, has had it's hands in the Middle East for decades. Has the U.S. been so mentally vacant as to assume that there is something 'wrong in THEIR culture' and not ours? Do we share none of the blame and therefore none of the responsibility to change? 

In calling three countries an Axis of Evil that must be stopped, invading one, and then acting hostile to the others, are we to be suddenly shocked and indignant over the latter two's actions of self-defense in their arms industry? Again, I am not condoning nuclear proliferation, but rather attempting to open up honest discourse on our actions and our policy in regards to other countries. If we can't look at ourselves honestly, how can we honestly and fairly judge the actions of others? Not doing so is a recipe for problems, as far as I'm concerned. 

The U.S. should take up more personal responsibility for it's own actions and policies that may have lead to current conditions. Im glad Americans, not to mention our President, want to stay out of Iran's conflict. However, because I'm aware of our lack of self-reflection, I'm suspicious as to what our inaction and support really signifies.