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Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Will Biden Save the Iranian Mullah Regime?

Will America save the mullah regime in Iran from its many troubles?

The Taliban victory in Afghanistan opens a new front against Iran. Iran is already busy in Yemen, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, where Iran supports fellow Shias. And now the prospect of the fanatical Sunni Taliban going to war against Afghanistan's Shia could stretch Iran's resources even more. 

Which is a problem: 

Economic conditions for most Iranians continue to get worse. Last month the (12-month average) inflation rate hit 45 percent and is a little worse in rural areas, where most of the religious dictatorship supporters live. The American trade and financial sanctions mean there are a lot fewer dollars in Iran and these are essential to pay for imports. The Iranian currency has been at record lows versus the U.S. dollar. ... The unemployment rate is twelve percent but the underemployment rate, because of firms shut down by quarantines, is much higher. Over half the population is visibly living below the poverty line. For more than a year a growing number of senior officials expressed fear this will spark another round of violent anti-government protests. Even government-controlled media is openly discussing this prospect.
Fortunately for the mullahs, the rigged election system put more fanatics in parliament. This makes it far less likely that the parliament will do something that requires the mullahs to veto bills that might be viewed as anti-mullah. Which angers all those people unhappy with mullah rule.

Still, the anger and unhappiness remains. And the economic problems remain unresolved.

Still, it buys time for the mullahs. Allah's protection for the mullahs might yet emerge given Democrats' unnatural love of the mullahs

UPDATE: Well of course he is willing:

Speaking at the [U.N.'s] headquarters in New York City, Mr Biden said that the US would return to “full compliance” with the deal negotiated during his previous stint in the White House, under former President Barack Obama.

You don't turn your back on your true love's most fervent desires. Don't forget how bad the deal is.