Global Perspective on the Iran War: Past Attempts at Regime Change Fall Short
"Middle Eastern Regime Shifts Historically Met with Disappointment"
The world anxiously awaits the United States' decision on whether to join Israel in the conflict with Iran's regime. A potential change in Iran's leadership is generating mixed opinions in the media.
According to the "New York Times", the U.S. Congress should vote on a military attack on Iran, as a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a threat to global security, regional stability, Israel's existence, and encourages other nations to pursue nuclear weapons. However, the London-based "Financial Times" advises caution, reminding readers of the past failures of attempting regime change in the Middle East, particularly Iran.
The British newspaper cautions that throughout history, attempted regime changes have repeatedly faltered, causing unpredictable consequences and spillover effects beyond the region. Although many Iranians do not support their leadership, overthrowing the regime by external force in a proud nation could lead to unforeseen consequences.
Meanwhile, the Norwegian "Verdens Gang" warns that the war between Israel and Iran could ignite a global conflagration. The coming days and weeks will be crucial, with much depending on the United States' involvement and the decisions of President Donald Trump.
Italy's "La Stampa" offers insight into the challenges faced by Chinese diplomacy in the ongoing crisis, as the potential for a prolonged conflict threatens crucial energy supplies from Iran and Iraq and undermines the strategic partnership with Iran. In addition, Beijing's influence in Israel seems to have dwindled, while Iranian supporters grow disillusioned with perceived empty promises.
The Dutch newspaper "de Volkskrant" posits that Iran's regional allies have substantially weakened, leaving Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei largely isolated in a war-torn landscape. While Iran once led an impressive military network in the Middle East, only Hezbollah remains as a significant ally following the toppling of other regime allies.
Historically, regime change attempts in the Middle East have proven fruitless, with the U.S. attempting to change regimes in numerous countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, and Syria. Failures in these efforts have led to prolonged conflicts, power vacuums, regional instability, and the strengthening of regional powers, such as Iran.
Keeping these historical warnings in mind, any current attempts at regime change in Iran should be approached with caution, considering the potential for unintended consequences, regional instability, and the strengthening of Iranian influence. The past has shown that the cost of attempted regime change often outweighs its benefits, making future decisions critical and thought-provoking.
The European Union, in line with global concern, is committed to the fight against terrorism and war-and-conflicts, recognizing that any attempted regime change in the Middle East, such as in Iran, historically has unpredictable consequences and potential spillover effects, affecting general-news topics like politics and security worldwide. Considering the UK's advice to not dismiss the risks of past failures in regime change attempts, particularly in Iran, it's crucial for the global community to approach any future decisions with caution and thoughtfulness.
