The internet probably needs a refresher on the meaning of the word “surviving.” The Washington Post is suggesting that Iran is “surviving” President Trump’s economic vice grip because the demagogic, death-worshipping regime leadership couched in luxury outside of the plight of the citizenry won’t budge.
Post reporters Susannah George and Asal Abasian propped up the illusion that Iran proper is somehow weathering the economic firestorm brought on by the heavy U.S. naval blockade in the Persian Gulf and crushing sanctions. “Iran is suffering yet surviving under Trump’s economic warfare,” read the grossly misleading headline.
Despite the ensuing shortages and economic erosion in the national currency, “Tehran appears to remain uncowed” as “there is little sign that the financial pain is translating into pressure on Iran’s leadership sufficient to force a return to talks and end the war.” Oh, really? Is that why Al Jazeera just reported the same day that the regime’s leadership has had to invent “creative solutions to energy shortfalls?” Does that somehow signal that Operation Economic Outcast has just been paper-tiger-ish?
George and Abasian must have missed the Euronews exclusive published September 10 headlined, “‘The country is falling apart': Iranians tell Euronews how war emptied their wallets.” In fact, Euronews stipulated that “While ordinary citizens previously weathered decades of international sanctions, the combination of ongoing war and a reinstated US naval blockade has paralysed everyday life, plunging the national currency into a historic tailspin and forcing families into drastic household austerity.”
Since when has “The country is falling apart” and “surviving” become synonymous with one another just because Mojtaba Khamenei may have inherited the $100-$200 billion private fortune his father amassed before the war broke out while his citizens can’t even buy food?
Using commentary from lefty Bourse & Bazaar Foundation CEO Esfandyar Batmanghelidj as a springboard, George and Abasian argued that “after withstanding U.S. sanctions for decades, Iran’s leaders have made structural changes to the country’s economy to insulate themselves from outside economic pressure.” Of course, George and Abasian didn’t bother disclosing that Batmanghelidj is the same schlub who argued in January that the reason the Islamic Republic failed as a political experiment is because it wasn’t redistributionist enough:
The reason the political project of the Islamic Republic has failed is because of the failure to redistribute wealth successfully and sustainably, especially as sanctions stymied growth … We all know a democratic system will be better for Iran, but what economic system will break this cycle that pits the weakened poor against the strengthened rich?
Not exactly the most neutral source, eh George and Abasian? Funnily enough, The Post buried 23 paragraphs down how “[w]ithout oil revenue, Iran’s ability to pay for imports and fund state functions, like salaries for its security forces, is steadily diminishing.” Again, “steadily diminishing” has literally nothing to do with the term “surviving,” especially since payment to “security forces” is no longer a guarantee. This is like saying an MMA fighter still has a shot at going the distance in a bout even after getting five of his teeth knocked out and breaking both of his arms.
Apparently, for George and Abasian, the Islamic elitists’ insulated personal finances somehow screams proof Trump’s strategy is failing. Talk about a major logical overreach.
