Hero and Anti-hero in the age of realpolitik

By: Dr. Mehdi S. Shariati

Contemporary socio-economic and political landscape is the product of centuries of wars, expansion, competition for resources, colonial expropriation and control. In an attempt to avoid total war and destruction, various treaties, rules and regulations in the context of multilateral organizations have been agreed upon. All nation-states (signatories) are obligated to adhere to these rules and any violation would in most cases receive reprimand and punishment. 

Wars in the distant past for most part were between neighbors with common borders. In the post-Colonial era, wars have not and do not recognize physical boundaries and ethnic and religious conflicts have wreaked havoc within and between nation-states.  Even though proxy wars have been waged throughout modern history, contemporary forms are not bound by geography and are by far more deadly and often without clear objectives except to strengthen the cult of personality in its primitive form but with modern mechanisms and strategy.  

The late Ghasem Suleimani was created by the 8 year Iran/Iraq war in the 80’s and rose the rank of General commanding a force ostensibly to “liberate” Palestine, later to help the Syrian regime keep its power, and later to fight (in an unofficial alliance with the American Forces)  the marauding killers operating under the banner of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Once the ISIS was defeated, all powerful individuals deemed hostile and associated with hostile local governments, became expendable. No one can explain this complexity to an average American and as for us—the Iranian-Americans in the United States in general and in Kansas/Missouri in particular, we have been through some very unpleasant moments. In particular those of us who were residing in the United States during and immediately after the Iranian Revolution of 1979, particularly with the advent of hostage taking at the American embassy embassy in Tehran, our fear of losing everything was very real. Our fear was such that when we were asked about out nationality, some answered, Turkish, Armenian, Italian, Arab and yes Persian, hoping that they could not make the connection. 

For some of us who know about the experiences of German-Americans and in particular the Japanese-American whose legal status as citizen was revoked and spent much time in interment or concentration camp, suggest a historical president.  We as Iranian-Americans have much to be thankful. On the one hand we love our motherland and for most of us our place of birth—Iran. On the other hand, as American citizens we have benefited from this society and we have contributed so much to this society. Our scientific, commercial, technological, space, medical, engineering, artistic, sociological, and spiritual contributions are immense and must be communicated with the larger community. 

We know well that we are still looked upon through the prism of “otherness” and that becomes obvious when there are tensions between our two countries. In these times, it is up to us to point out in both cases, (in Iran and in the US) that geopolitical conflicts can and will take on “mob” like features and that the political class in charge may not be a legitimate spokesperson for the masses of people.   It is important that when we speak to others, we do mention the CIA engineered coup in 1953 against the democratically elected Prime Minister M. Mossadegh which according to most historians is the basis of current mistrust and disrespect. We also must, in one voice, denounce the shameful practice of burning the American flag- the symbol of national pride and sovereignty, slogans against other nations, and destructive actions. What we are hoping is that the assassination of individuals as a political weapon in either side does not end in full scale war.  Instead, we should wish for open dialog and peace and harmony throughout the world.