I used to highlight these kind of articles, the ones that note that "ironically" the U.S. and Iran just happen to be on the same side of some issue in the world. But someone could write an article like that almost every day. For decades, American and Iranian interests have converged on a number of issues. The U.S. and Iran have been on the same side in the war against the Taliban, in supporting the post-U.S. invasion government of Iraq, in opposing ISIS, etc. This is really nothing new, nor is it particularly remarkable.
I'm convinced the main reason that Iran gets such a beating in U.S. politics is because the storming of the Iranian embassy and the resulting hostage crisis created so damaged Iran's reputation in the eyes of the American public, the public will never think any level of demonization of Iran or its people goes too far. Bashing Iran or its regime is the lowest hanging fruit in American politics. Take a tough line with that country, and you will automatically get widespread applause. It also helps that the demonization of Iran is egged on by allies such as Saudi Arabia and Israel. But if you somehow wiped from America's memory everything that happened between November 1, 1979 and January 20, 1981, Iran would be, if not a regional ally, a power that the U.S. cooperated closely with.
Yeah, I know the Iranian government is horrible and has a terrible human rights record. But by any objective measure, the Saudi government is worse. It's human rights situation is at least equal to Irans (I think worse), and it is undeniably a lot less democratic than Iran is. My point is not to defend Iran but only to point out that when American interests converge with a foreign country, the niceness of the government or its human rights record doesn't pose any real barrier to cooperation. Those things are the reasons that people usually point to when they talk about why U.S.-Iran relations are so bad. But they can't explain it, at least not if you look at relations between the U.S. and several of Iran's neighbors.
I'm convinced the main reason that Iran gets such a beating in U.S. politics is because the storming of the Iranian embassy and the resulting hostage crisis created so damaged Iran's reputation in the eyes of the American public, the public will never think any level of demonization of Iran or its people goes too far. Bashing Iran or its regime is the lowest hanging fruit in American politics. Take a tough line with that country, and you will automatically get widespread applause. It also helps that the demonization of Iran is egged on by allies such as Saudi Arabia and Israel. But if you somehow wiped from America's memory everything that happened between November 1, 1979 and January 20, 1981, Iran would be, if not a regional ally, a power that the U.S. cooperated closely with.
Yeah, I know the Iranian government is horrible and has a terrible human rights record. But by any objective measure, the Saudi government is worse. It's human rights situation is at least equal to Irans (I think worse), and it is undeniably a lot less democratic than Iran is. My point is not to defend Iran but only to point out that when American interests converge with a foreign country, the niceness of the government or its human rights record doesn't pose any real barrier to cooperation. Those things are the reasons that people usually point to when they talk about why U.S.-Iran relations are so bad. But they can't explain it, at least not if you look at relations between the U.S. and several of Iran's neighbors.
