Azar Meedokht Manifesto

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Executive Summary 

-Communism to Fundamentalism to Democracy

Iran is at historical crossroads with the rare opportunity to lead the whole of Middle East to a different tomorrow.

Support of the nascent movement for gender equality, freedom, rule of law, and separation of church and state, based on historical precedence is the critical first step. 

A future that respects cultural and religious sensibilities yet is firmly grounded in the aforementioned principles is possible if the forces for good come together and push for this outcome.

This imperative is not transactional and materialistic in nature, but rather fundamental to the well-being of the citizens of a critical region in the world sitting on most of the world’s energy supply.

The transition to democratic rule with special emphasis on emancipation of women will have far reaching implications for a world that seeks equality, balance, and peace, and does not want to be embroiled in perpetual wars, tumult, spats of refugee crisis, forced displacements, and associated environmental disasters.

To this end the Iranian nation has reached a level of maturity to chart a better future for itself, and in the process be a worthy role model for rest of Middle East and beyond.

The support and nurturing of this unique and historical movement, we dare say, is critical to the peace and security of the world in the future. 

An Iran that is in peace with its neighbors, freely trades with the world, and strengthens international institutions and norms will be a game changer for the good of humanity.

The Past 

(1978-now)

The end of 1970s saw an alarming prospect of Soviet Union’s expansion towards the energy rich regions of Middle East and the warm waters of Persian Gulf.

As a countermeasure, the idea of a “Green Belt” (color of Islam) around the Soviet Union took root in the West, with the goal of containing and pressuring the Soviets through encircling their empire with Islamic fundamentalists who had cultural and historical ties to the Soviet’s southern republics.

The ensuing fundamentalists’ resistance, and subsequent retreat of the Soviets from Afghanistan, coinciding with the complete decimation of the left in Iran by the Khomeinists served well the purposes of the US and the West at the time, and consequently the Green Belt strategy was declared a great success.

However, these nefarious forces unleashed by this policy survived the demise of the Soviet Union and became entrenched in the fabric of aforementioned societies, in-spite of the expiration of their brands and usefulness in the eyes of the Western policy makers.

The original fundamentalists birthed many terrorist movements across the Middle East and beyond, culminating in the tragedy of 9/11 in NY, and later in the murderous rampage of ISIS across the greater Middle East and Europe.

After a long difficult period of 40 years the tide against these forces is finally turning, and a new blueprint for future is forming in the region spearheaded by brave Iranian women and men.

People of Iran have risen against the ideals of fundamentalism, and they are exercising their newfound power to seek a better tomorrow for themselves and their children.

More importantly the women, the linchpins of this new movement, a historical first, are demanding a foundational change in the way they are governed and treated as citizens.

The Future

In today’s highly connected world that is virtually and physically borderless and porous, the fundamentalism of Iranian regime is not contained, and is easily transportable to other regions, especially to the West, unlike during the 1970s. The activities of the IRGC through its Quds division is, and has been, a destabilizing force in Iran’s neighbors, and in countries that have ideological differences with the regime.

With the demise of communism, as a polar opposite of the West, the only force that seriously threatens the civilized world is religious fundamentalism and authoritarianism.

It is time that the West wakes up to this reality and reverses course in the Middle East, and promote the forces of democracy and peace in earnest. 

It is also prime time to dispense with any sympathies for the disingenuous government of Iran and its supporters who have argued for compromise with the regime because of the past “sins” of the West in Iran during a tumultuous period in its history following WWII. 

The current government does not have its roots from that past and cannot use it as an excuse to continue to strangle the Iranian people, and hamstring and shame the policy makers in the West.

Iran as a pivotal force in the greater Middle East, cultural and otherwise, is ground zero for change, and it is currently ripe for transition to a progressive secular society which can vastly influence the future of the region as a role model.

The people in the region historically look up to Iranians, and as Khomeini was able to take the whole region back a thousand years, a forward-looking Iran can similarly alter the face of the Middle East, and help make democracy its beating heart. 

Further, the women of Iran can be the role models for liberation of generation of women in the region locked in by tradition and religious fundamentalism.

A free and forward looking Middle East will be a source of stability in the world, ensuring both economic prosperity and respect for human rights in the region and beyond. 

As an added bonus, the appeal and reach of authoritarian regimes, like Russia and China, will be severely curtailed, with their own populace demanding change as a result. We saw a glimpse of this in China as related to Covid restrictions, after the recent demonstration in Iran for freedom of expression and individual rights.

What is Needed From the West

• unconditional support for the women led movement in Iran
• Isolation of Iranian regime economically and politically 
• calling the Iranian regime’s dated bluff visa vis its nuclear program 
• designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization. 
• demand freedom for all political prisoners and those under arbitrary arrest
• meaningful and actionable contacts with legitimate opposition leaders in diaspora and in Iran

The Epilogue 

Unless the clerics are removed from power, they will continue to sponsor terrorism in the Middle East and beyond. They control a vast militia in Lebanon estimated at 50,000 well paid personnel with Iranian funds, armed with up to 150,000 short and medium range rockets supplied by Iran.

Similarly, the regime will continue to hold the Saudis and Emirates hostage through its armed militia in Yemen. It can also strike at Western targets anywhere in the world through its sleeper cells, as for instance in the attempted assassination of Ms. Masih Alinejad in the US. 

We need to press these facts ever more onto the public and politicians alike and also ensure that dubious entities, such as the Rajavi cult operating under the banner of People's Mujahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), do not hijack the revolutionary movement of the Iranian people.