US Picks its Iranian 'Democrat,' Again
Al-Monitor, citing a Politico report, has revealed that the Trump administration is quietly assessing Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as a viable partner and potential future leader for the country. This development, reported on March 23rd, indicates a faction within the White House believes Ghalibaf could become a pliable figure capable of negotiating with Washington in an
unspecified 'next phase' of current geopolitical tensions. Mainstream media outlets like Politico frame this as a strategic consideration, an almost benign exploration of leadership alternatives. What they conveniently omit, however, is the long, disastrous history of Washington attempting to hand-pick leaders for sovereign nations, particularly in the Middle East. This isn't benign diplomacy; it
is a blatant continuation of a policy that has consistently undermined self-determination and fueled regional instability. The narrative presented by outlets like Politico sanitizes this interventionist approach, portraying it as a rational calculation rather than a deeply problematic pattern of interference. This current assessment of Ghalibaf is not an isolated incident but rather a direct echo
of countless US attempts to dictate political outcomes abroad, often resulting in widespread suffering. For instance, the US provided Saddam Hussein's regime with dual-use biological agents and crucial intelligence during the Iran-Iraq War from 1983 to 1988, even as intelligence agencies knew Iraq was using chemical weapons against Iranian troops. This wasn't about supporting democracy; it was