What are we willing to do for Iran? by Peter Khan Zendran

In these times when the talk of reform is abound one question remains to be asked. That is what are we as Iranians willing to do for the benefit of Iran? Considering the threats of aggression from America and Israel and the discontent with the Mullahs this question should be on everybody’s mind, be they in Iran or abroad, but for some reason it is not. This is all the more distressing since it leaves us wide open to outside intervention and manipulation.
The reasons that this has not been more frequently asked are many. One reason is that with the presence of the orwellian-western-government controlled mainstream media giving inaccurate information on Iran and independent media collectives often suppressed in countries like America and Britain where these independent media groups are located, let alone how to act. The fact that independent media groups are under attack for telling the truth in opposition to the controlled mainstream media should make people more independent in seeking independent news sources and in doing their own research, yet either this is not happening on a large scale or it is and people are not applying their results properly to stimulate action.

Another reason is that most Iranians alive today are under 30 and are more interested in partying and enjoying themselves than looking out for their own safety, as many young people are around the world. Many of these young people are those who have left Iran to study abroad in places including America, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden where they can get education at so-called reputable institutions of higher learning while partying when they are not studying, which would be difficult to do while studying in Iran. However for all their reputable schools and intensive studying most Iranians studying abroad seem to learn very little. Case in point, in February 2005 I got an invitation to attend a panel discussion by “experts” on Iran at Harvard’s Kennedy School. Having attended an event in May 2004 at Brown’s Watson Institute where I was impressed by a speaker from the Kennedy school I had high expectations.

Those expectations were dashed within minutes of the first panelist speaking as she couldn’t get historical facts correct. This was reinforced by the panelists focusing on forces inside Iran as well as information I could have gotten from any doctored rag and not on external forces acting to influence Iranian affairs. My disappointment was further increased by the Iranians in the audience, most of them young students, who’s questions largely mirrored those of the panelists, all talking about reform and democracy without understanding the dynamics of those words and none talking about action, let alone the possibility that calls for reform in Iran could be used as a pretext to an American invasion of Iran. After attending Iranian events over the past three years which normally left me energized and full of hope for once I walked away from Harvard that night concerned for my future and the future of my people. That night I thought to myself if these students are a reflection of the people of Iran then what hope could there possibly be for a strong and free Iran?

Another reason is the price many Iranians have paid for the success they have achieved which has caused apathy among many Iranians, particularly in America. While Iranians have achieved success and prominence in many areas, be it in sports, literature, business, entertainment, philanthropy, education that success has often been achieved at a high price and many Iranians who have achieved success have had to make it on their own. As with many people who have had success on their own these Iranians feel a sense of bitterness since they received no support, which in America is further reinforced by the attitudes of many Americans who feel that they should focus on their own lives instead of those around us. This is especially noticeable by the lack of Iranian activists willing to take a stand for Iran in America in proportion to the Iranian population, especially when compared with other ethnic groups. Hopefully, this apathy will be broken before Iranians have to suffer because of it.

Most glaring is that many Iranians have been too lazy to act on their own behalf, be it as the result of indecision, being overwhelmed, lack of information, or the fact that too many Iranians would rather let others act for them than do anything to help themselves. This is an issue that needs to be addressed, but it still forms part of the larger question of what we as Iranians are willing to do for Iran. Before that is answered we need to answer what needs to be done for Iran.

That question is easily answered. Iran needs it’s people, at home and abroad, to do what is necessary to make sure Iran remains a strong and sovereign nation. That includes making sure that Iranians are not only well informed but know how to make the right decisions to survive. It means that the people of Iran must make sure that they govern themselves and not bow to foreign pressure by taking a more active role in their government. It means taking a more active role in the defense of Iran and of Iranians abroad so that Iran will not go the way of Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, Liberia, Georgia, and the Philippines, including realizing that the governments of America, Britain, and Israel are not the friends of Iran and the Iranian people. It means realizing that any call for reform while Iran is threatened from abroad is inviting foreign powers to invade Iran. It means realizing that individuals and groups like like Reza Pahlavi, Bahman Nassiri, Tudeh, Jebhe Melli, Rastakhiz, National Iranian American Council, International ANSWER, Solidarity International are not on our side and develop our own resources independent from any group that would threaten our liberties.

It means making sure Iran’s economy is properly developed so that Iran can support it’s population and that Iranians do not have to live in poverty. It means making sure the truth is known about Iran and Iranians contrary to what the western-orwellian-government backed media says. It means pitching in to do these things, be it sending money and materials to friends and family in Iran, maintaining a news network counter to the propaganda rags that spread lies about us, taking a more active part in Iranian politics and defense, and developing our resources to be independent that whenever we are threatened we are strong enough to resist any enemy.

So what are you willing to do for Iran?