The Iranian people are once again attempting to rise against their oppressor. If only the US & free world had supported their previous attempt in 2009 instead of choosing appeasement and formally allying with the dictatorship in 2013.
Once again, the Myth of Liberalization has been exposed. "Engagement" with authoritarian regimes is appeasement by another name. Iranian regime took the cash, freed from sanctions, and invested it in terror, war, and repression.
As the Arab Spring demonstrated again, you cannot guarantee good outcomes when authoritarian regimes fall. You can only support the people and support hope where there is none.
You cannot support the victims of dictatorship and the dictators at the same time. Making deals with authoritarians for "peacemaker" headlines only punishes their people in the long run. Again and again it has been shown. Consistent, moral policy is the most effective policy.
