Phil, you know the score, but I think youâve got a blind spot on Iran.
I remember that one of our first debates concerned the Tunb Islands. Youâd noted them as an example of Iranian aggression and expansion.
Hereâs the thing. The Tunbs were taken from the UAE during the reign of the Shah. The Iran we know is the post-revolution Iran, the same one that shortly after its formation, decried pretty much all the Arab World as unislamic, accusing them of falling from their faith. Harsh words, which led to the expansion of Saudi funding of what would eventually become Al Qaeda and any other number of extreme groups following a path close to the Wahhabi doctrine.
Yes, the Iranians are engaging in the same kind of proxy sponsorship that every other country with a dog in the fight is doing. Yes, the rhetoric from its Supreme Leaders and Presidents has been incredibly truculent (especially when translated by Western media).
The post 1979 Iran has never invaded anyone that didnât invade Iran first. It is not an aggressor state, and the vast majority of groups it has funded are resistance movements in occupied territories, usually fending off the advances of an aggressor state.