The recent war between Iran and Israel has become a litmus paper not only for the Middle East but also for our own domestic politics and media world. The scene that has emerged has once again revealed the behind-the-scenes of the United States of America and Israel's beautification by the types who have been disguised as “objective analysts” or “strategically minded” on various platforms for years. One by one, the masks have fallen off and it has become clear who some of the characters who appear on the screens and in the corners actually serve.
These types show the same reflex in every Middle East crisis. They do not deal with regional dynamics, international law or humanitarian dimensions. There is only one reference point for them: “Israel's security” and “America's interests in the region”. For them, these two concepts come before universal law, the principle of innocence and sovereign rights. They lick the bowl of the food bowl of the qibla they are funded by, because whoever is strong is right.
The Dilemma of Cowards: Neither Full Support nor Bold Criticism
One of the most pathetic aspects of these beautifiers is their hypocritical attitude. On the one hand, they are afraid to openly criticize America, but on the other hand, they cannot muster the courage to openly support it. In this vicious circle, they find a cover for themselves: “Iran has a mullah regime”, they say.
Does the fact that a country has a mullah regime legitimize the killing of children by the US? Can disliking a country's form of government be an argument that justifies the massacre of civilians? Of course not. But for them, human life gains or loses value depending on the political labels on geographies and the focal point they are funded from.
“Hiding behind the ”we are allies" excuse
Another pathetic defense mechanism is to exploit the concept of “alliance”. By saying “America is our ally”, they imply that we should unquestioningly accept every action of an ally. So because it is your ally, it can bomb civilians and kill children? Is alliance an agreement that requires complicity in war crimes? Such a simplistic understanding of foreign policy can only be possible with such a shallow phrase as "we are allies".
The Fable of Democracy and the Freedom to Bomb
Let's come to the funniest, yet tragic argument: “Iran doesn't have a regular army, radical Islam is hurting Israel. But Israel is a democracy and Iran is a dictatorship.” Can there be such a pathetic comparison? Does that mean that Israel is not a democracy because it is a democracy and Israel has the freedom to bomb any country it wants? Is democracy a license to violate the sovereign rights of other countries, to target civilians?
This logic is the modern version of a colonialist mentality that tramples on democracy, human rights and international law, which some people seem to understand. These types, who do not protect their own people, try to justify massacres by using the form of government of a country thousands of kilometers away as an excuse.
Another oddity is the state of the Diaspora: All Poor Except Communists
In this picture, the situation of the Iranian diaspora is another example of gravity. The communists are the only consistent ones among this group who live outside Iran, who prospered under the Shah and fled when the Islamic Republic was established. Although they are against the regime, they have a clear stance against imperialism and Zionism.
The rest fall into two categories: Either self-promoting losers who “escort” the Pahlavi-supporting diaspora, or remnants of the old system who reigned under the Shah. Their concern is neither the Iranian people nor peace in the Middle East. Their only concern is their longing for the old days of privilege and their support for all kinds of imperialist projects.
As a result, the Iran-Israel-American war allowed us to see behind the scenes of this masquerade. It has once again confirmed how one-sided, dependent and devoid of human values the mindset of those on the right and left who call themselves “intellectuals”, “democrats” and “impartial journalists” is. If peace and stability are desired in the Middle East, what needs to be done is to put aside such pleasantries and excuses and listen to the demands of the peoples of the region for justice, sovereignty and dignity. Now that the masks have fallen, it is time to face reality and take sides with those who are really fighting imperialism.