The late Ayatollah Khomeini famously declared that “there is no fun in Islam.” No fun, no humor, no laughing — although he apparently laughed in amazement at her unintimidated brashness when Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci, who was interviewing him, ripped off the hijab that had been placed on her head. But now there is hilarity […]
Iran 2025 Is Not Iraq 2003. Here’s Why.
New in PJ Media: I’m debating the alleged comedian Dave Smith tonight on the question “Should the U.S. support Israel in taking out Iran’s leadership?” ZeroHedge is cosponsoring the debate, with Matt Gaetz moderating it on his OAN show, and so I’ve just learned over there that I’m an “Iran hawk” who “supports Israel’s efforts to assassinate Khamenei,” and […]
The Strike by Israel on Iran’s State Broadcasting Authority Was Exquisitely Timed
An Israeli strike hit Iran’s state broadcaster on Monday, while the head of the UN nuclear watchdog indicated extensive damage to Iran’s biggest uranium enrichment plant and Iran called on the U.S. to force a ceasefire in the four-day-old aerial war. More on these developments, that show clearly that the IDF is smashing its way […]
Reza Pahlavi: Khamenei Is a ‘Cornered Rat’
Reza Pahlavi, the Crown Prince of Iran in exile, believes that the Iranian regime is close to collapse; for years, he has been urging this outcome, addressing the people of Iran on social media and through interviews on American and European television. His hope for the future of his country is a parliamentary democracy, where […]
‘Regime Change’ Is Not the Same Thing as ‘Nation Building’
We wanted regime change in the USSR, but we didn’t do any nation-building. I am skeptical that the United States will actually do anything directly in Iran. If it does, it’s going to be limited to using some bombers to drop heavy ordnance on an underground nuclear reactor. Some people are getting very enthusiastic about […]
Overhyping Iran’s Capabilities Backfired Against Anti-Interventionists
When your predictions don’t match up with reality, you’ve lost the argument. It’s rarely a good idea to premise a policy debate on one huge false assumption, whether it’s Iraqis will welcome democracy or taking out Iran’s nukes means World War III. The anti-interventionists built a house of cards around the idea that Iran was […]
Iran-backed Houthis say attacks on Israel won’t stop until Gaza war ends
According to Israel Hayom, the Houthis are “too far, too isolated and too determined,” so what seems to be an easy and primitive enemy to defeat is proving more difficult to subdue: For many Israelis, the Houthis are a confusing enemy, seemingly primitive, yet armed with advanced weapons backed by a state sponsor. With Hamas […]
Macron calls for ‘restraint’: ‘We must help partners in the region,’ ignores threats to Israel and West
The actions of “The Axis of Resistance,” Iran’s group of proxies in the Middle East, are dedicated to stopping Israel’s defensive actions against Iran and forcing the U.S. to reconsider its support for Israel. Macron’s approach is aligned with those goals. He cares more about France’s “partners in the region” than he does about broader […]
Iranian Lieutenant-Colonel Iman Tajik: ‘We Control The Skies Over Israel’
Bravado is nothing new for Iran, or for other Islamic and Muslim-majority regimes. Recall, the late Saddam Hussein’s “Mother of all battles” tough talk. Saddam called George W. Bush the Great Satan “and foretold the deaths of allied soldiers by drowning in pools of their own blood.” In the same manner, Iranian Lieutenant-Colonel Iman Tajik […]
Israel Is Doing Europe, and the World, a Favor
The pusillanimity of UK and world leaders now calling for “de-escalation” in the Iran-Israel war — by which they mean Israel should stop its destruction of Iran’s nuclear project and of Tehran’s ballistic missiles, is discussed here: “Israel’s actions are a favour to Europe – but don’t expect a thank you,” by Grant Shapps, The […]