Interview -- American Exceptionalism: A Talk With a Political Refugee

Shireen Qudosi, clarionproject.org, November 5

Image from article, with caption: Iranian pro-government supporters march during a rally in support of the regime after authorities declared the end of deadly unrest, in the city of Mashhad on January 4, 2018.

Excerpt:

Shay Khatiri [JB - see], an Iranian political refugee, sat down with Clarion Project for a remarkably insightful conversation on American exceptionalism. He reminds us of what it means to be American and also offers his insights into how America could effect regime change in Iran. ... 

In part 2 below, Clarion’s National Correspondent Shireen Qudosi chats with Khatiri to learn more about Shay and gather his unique perspective on key issues including immigration and a foreign policy strategy for Iran. ...

Clarion: Speaking of laws and policies, as an Iranian American, you’re probably keenly aware of the feud between Iran and Saudi Arabia, including America’s shifting position now that we’re allied with the Saudis. What are your thoughts on the way that Iran is demonized. Does the theocracy deserve to be demonized by the American government?

Khatiri: I’m politically very conservative, and I’m not at all a fan of this president and administration. But, one of the things I have really appreciated about them is that they’re willing to take a stand against Iran. The problem is that after two years they still have no real strategy except for sanctions, which are, in my opinion necessary, but they have no strategy beyond that. They need to have a strategy if they want to achieve their policy goals.

I think the Iranian government needs to be subjected to a lot of scrutiny and demonization, because they are rogue and bad actors on the international level. Also, they’re a terrible actor on the domestic level. Just look at the executions per capita in Iran, which is higher than any other country. Look at the number of political prisoners in Iran. I do think this (Iranian) government and regime deserves all the demonization and even more.

One of the things that the Trump administration has done that is positive is the separation they have made between the Iranian people and the Iranian government. Also, the Trump administration is actively trying to engage in public diplomacy [JB emphasis], engage the Iranian people. I think they should go further in that category.

Clarion: How can they go further? What would be your recommendation for engaging in greater public diplomacy?

Khatiri: As sad as it is, we live in 2018, so social media is a step. I have been very critical of the management of Voice of America (VOA) Persian for almost the past decade. A lot of people used to watch it, but they’ve stopped watching it because it has become very reformist-friendly.

Most people are disillusioned with the reformists in Iranian politics [see more below on this]. VOA needs to make adjustments to engage the Iranian people … and talk directly to them.

Ambassador Haley did this on a few occasions and so has Vice President Pence. President Trump’s Nowroz (Persian New Year) message was one of the best I have ever seen.

These are actions that require so few resources, and they’re not risky at all. But they could have a lot of rewards. ...