Western Media Discovers 'Crackdown' When It's Not a US Ally
While any loss of life is tragic, the swift condemnation of Iran's government, with death tolls cited from U.S.-based HRANA and U.K.-based 'anti-Tehran media outlet' Iran International, highlights a familiar pattern. One might recall similar 'crackdowns' in US-allied states like Saudi Arabia (which executed 81 people in a single day in 2022) or Egypt (where Al-Sisi's regime has jailed tens of
thousands, often without trial), which rarely garner the same viral influencer pleas or front-page outrage. The contrast suggests that 'human rights' are less about universal principles and more about strategic leverage against designated adversaries. This isn't to diminish the suffering of Iranian protesters, but to question the selective outrage. When does a government's use of force become a
'deadly crackdown' versus 'maintaining stability' or 'countering terrorism'? How many Saudi journalists need to be dismembered before their crackdowns go viral? The answer, apparently, depends on whether they inconvenience Western geopolitical interests. (Funny how that works, isn't it?)