The TRUTH About Iran

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#iran #politics #politicalnews

[@swagmund_freud6669]

When I was like 11, I was genuinely shocked and confused when I learned people actually live in Las Vegas. Like there are residential areas, schools, etc. I found that very shocking.

[@reptilesarecool6739]

It sucks here it shocks me to this day that people choose to live here

[@misfitsatanas5756]

I got married there six years ago. Was there for 5 days and saw 2 firearm incidents in the immediate vicinity of our hotel. Truly vegas is another planet!😊

[@ausername8699]

Henderson is pretty nice I hear. It just sucks that it's in one of the most inhospitable environments on earth.

[@onsennoodles7461]

🎉ijjjjhyhh🎉😂o🎉🎉🎉🎉😮😮😮 18:05 18:05 mmm🎉🎉😂😮😮😅ukk😢😢😢 😢l😮😮😮😮😢😢😢😢🎉😮😮🎉g😅😅😅😅😅55t22😊😊😅😅😅😅😅😅🎉🎉🎉🎉uh🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😂😂😢😮😢😢😢😢😮😮😮😢😅😅😅😅😅😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😅😅😅😅

[@MccThiccens]

And we can't wait to leave.

[@LucasDimoveo]

People in the US miss out on how influential Persian culture is and has been. Much of Islamic poetry traces back to Iran. Think of it in the same way westerners consider French being fancy/pretty/poetic

[@mattmiller9809]

True, but like Arabs still fucking hate Persia. Its a religious and racialized hatred. They reject Persian contributions and I think if the Middle East is left alone, Iran wouldn't just gain complete control over the Middle East. The Sunnis would unite

[@thechief043]

Plus the country is absolutely gorgeous. The US really screwed up by helping cause the revolution, lotta people miss out on a very rich culture.

[@junkandcrapamen]

@@thechief043 Iran could have been a genuine democracy in the 1950s. Imagine if the west had partnered with them in good faith instead of destroying it. What a different world it would be.

[@ausername8699]

Iran could have literally been the Japan of the middle east. Without a U.S. backed authoritarian regime or an aggressively anti-western theocracy, they could be one of the most culturally influential powers in the world.

[@mahanalijani1997]

Yep

[@Yormolch]

You mean an isolationist country that has its defense completely managed by the US? Japan is in NO way a regional hegemon, that title belongs to China.

[@daisukideshou]

@Yormolch not a regional hegemon, but a cultural one. china would obviously be the power hegemon

[@Yormolch]

@@daisukideshou Ah, that I can agree with.

[@ausername8699]

@@Yormolch I meant in terms of soft power, not military or diplomatic pressure.

[@wesleybrock315]

Vaush is right. I was a part of a mission to a country called East Timor. We were there specifically because China has been doing things like building squares, and roads for them. So we went there to do the same. We have the the raw power to threaten them. But this is how idiots do things. Soft power is often best kind of power.

[@somedudeok1451]

Yeah, but I think Vaush is massively understating what sanctions can do. And while it's true that before anything a country should give soft power an honest try, I also believe that Vaush is overstating what soft power can do. Sometimes the camps and the ideology of the parties is just so entrenched, that it's no longer just about the material conditions. There is no amount of money that the US could give the fascists of Israel or the leaders of Hamas for them to not want to do genocide against their enemy. There is also no amount of money at this point that would dissuade Putin from turning Russia fascist and pursuing lofty dreams of building an empire. Sometimes leaders and thus the countries they rule over just act irrationally. Putin's war has been almost only bad for Russia - starting it and pursuing it to this day was irrational. Soft power can only do so much.

[@wesleybrock315]

@@somedudeok1451 True, sometimes you got to do bad things to be good but I believe what Vaush is trying to say with regard to Iran is that a soft approach will work with them and yet we don't take that route for hawkish / racist reasons. I think one of things people need to realize about Iran is that it is the way it is because of us. We made it this way. We coup'd them when they decided to nationalize their oil instead of letting BP suck all their money away and installed a repressive tyrant. That guy got overthrown by Islamist who said "see the West is evil" And we haven't done much to disprove that theory when dealing with them.

[@Heldarion]

@@somedudeok1451 UN-imposed sanctions (which are very rare) are the most effective ones, the sanctions that US has imposed have done fuck all, based on the scientific literature. All of them reduce the GDP growth, but that is never the stated goal of the sanctions, it's normally regime change or stopping the war (or something like that) and in that case sanctions are woefully ineffective. Putin's war and the follow-up sanctions are beginning to wreck Europe. There's no more cheap energy available even if it's quite obvious that heavy energy dependence on Russia can become compromising. To be fair, everyone should be trying to go green as possible anyway, but before we get there, you should ideally make sure your economy doesn't fucking collapse (and bring to power neonazis rearing their ugly heads all over the continent). Europe doesn't produce much in the way of anything basic, there's Airbus, several countries have strong military industrial complexes and Germany exports cars. Now, that might change, because energy prices haven't been low since the Russian invasion of the Ukraine and that is slowly squeezing out energy-intensive sectors of economy. Economic recovery from the recent inflation has been very meagre. Now, I don't think that has been Putin's goal, because I don't think he expected Ukraine to resist and sanctions to follow up, yet here we are.

[@ThatGuyNikolas]

​@@donovan4222The US did not support overthrowing the Ukrainian government. This has been disproven a couple thousand times by now. And you wouldn't say western influence in countries like Latvia and Estonia are a bad thing. That's just Russian propaganda. And before you bring up NATO. Russia has since day 1 shared a border with NATO members .

[@dawildbear]

@@donovan4222 Russia could easily have avoided the war by not invading Ukraine, skill issue.

[@Almost_a_hero]

The current Iranian government is basically an islamic China. I agree Iran is super historic and cultural and should arguably the dominant local power. Just not as it is now

[@PhilfreezeCH]

But that is part of what Vaush was talking about with US interference, the current government would straight up not have been possible without US meddling.

[@rockmycd1319]

It can’t be anyways. Shiites aren’t unilaterally pro-Iran, in fact the largest Shiite political faction inIraq, the Sadrists, are against Iranian influence in Iraq. There’s also the not at all tense relationship between the Kurds and the Iranian state.

[@MasterGhostf]

Not necessarily. But, also isn't that more of a statement of Iran? There will ALWAYS be hostile actors. There are hostile actors against the US and the west and same against the middle east and Iran. Its on the Iranians to fix their problems and overcome those issues. "Boo hoo, we can't achieve our regional hegemony because they *sniffle* are keeping us down, stopppp them". That is essentially what you're saying. You are infantilizing a group of people. US won't stay top dog forever, I'll do my best to keep it that way, but that's how history works. Iran just needs to bide its time and take advantage of weaknesses. Thats why the world is getting crazier. There are perceived weaknesses that aren't necessarily the US's fault. There are just so much going on the US can't respond to every issue. That will just exacerbate issues and conflicts and we're going to see an increase in them. If the US wants to defeat these powers, it must regain its stranglehold either through war or soft power. And the US is good at soft power. Speak softly and carry a big stick has been the US's motto. @@PhilfreezeCH

[@mugwump9031]

True, but they also keep the sunni muslims in the region in check - you want instability, give sunni muslims more power and influence. Historically accurate and backed by even 20 seconds of research.

[@Bayard1503]

The thing is... Saudi Arabia is even more authoritarian.

[@furkan3945]

Vaush is 100% right. As a Turkish sunni, while i know that there is a sunni-shia divide, people care way less about that than the saudis being a sellout monarchy state. In turkey at least, no one really thinks about iran in a negative way that much. Saudi Arabia however is seen in an extremely negative way especially since they executed Khashoggi in the embassy in Turkey.

[@RaccKing21]

I'm not surprised that a lot of muslims view Saudi Arabia in a negative light. They're turning your main holy site into a theme park where. I could just imagine if the Vatican started putting up massive spires, clock towers and shopping malls.

[@josephparisi1458]

Iran is just a reskinned monarchy though.

[@Korzacks2nd]

Vaush should be supporting the Kurds. I'm sure Iran's support of them is a big stink in Turkey's eye, even though the Kurds were instrumental in dismantling ISIS and threatened Assad.

[@think.culture]

Oh are you Arab? If not, why are you using your own opinion on the matter as a source?

[@Ariana_y004]

@@think.cultureare you blind? They are Turkish and they are speaking as a Sunni Turk and not an Arab.

[@MoGhadas]

This was so frustrating to watch live. Vaush doesn’t understand the Shia-Sunni dynamic. Iran’s main cultural export is Shia islam, which hezbollah and houthis support. That has no sway over most of the Arab and Muslim world which is Sunni. Thinking most of the Middle East would support Iran over Saudi Arabia is ignorant.

[@Creslin321]

Leftists typically understand nothing about foreign policy. They all think that if the US just left things alone there would be peace.

[@flavortown289]

I’m pretty sure Khomeneism preaches Sunni-Shia unity🤷‍♂️ Can’t be any worse than the Wahhabism exported by Saudi Arabia.

[@mogscugg2639]

Would you prefer the bone sawdis presiding over the Shia minority

[@tethryss5001]

@@viciovs22 If their lives actually improved in the region, religion wouldn't matter so much.

[@flavortown289]

@@viciovs22 I think day by day Sunni Arabs are pulled more towards anti-Americanism than they are concerned with engaging in Sunni-Shia sectarianism.

[@Vraptor1]

when I read “Iran needs to be big boy” i thought about a potty trained toddler in a pampers commercial

[@forwadnothing8212]

Iran isn't good, but they aren't bad. They are like Russia. They don't mess with you, if you don't mess with them or their neighbors.

[@Staryanuke]

@@forwadnothing8212 ah yes, russia that isn't bad.. that isn't spreading propaganda in western countries, that engages in hybrid warfare, destabilizes and invades it's neighbors... nothing bad about that !

[@jhonshephard921]

@@forwadnothing8212 eh they mess with Pakistan since the Shah. They think Pakistan backed the Shah which, to be fair, it did. That said it shows Vaush's point about Iran's cultural influence that Karachi Shias can speak Farsi in addition to Urdu and English, and sometimes Sindhi.

[@rockmycd1319]

@@forwadnothing8212So what did Yemen and Lebanon do to Iran that warranted their proxies basically acting as a parallel government? And what did Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova do to warrant Russian aggression? This is the type of shit people said about Germany before they invaded Czechoslovakia

[@Bayard1503]

@@forwadnothing8212 Stupid comparison... Russia is ALWAYS meddling with their neighbors.

[@ADot-fi1ny]

No Sunni government will accept being under the Shia thumb of Iran.

[@Paul.......]

Which I couldve told you in 8th grade. Bad segment

[@aquelegabriel]

No Catholic government will accept being under the protestant thumb... Oh, wait... Your "enlightening" understanding of the middle east is just colonialism. And racism. Obviously a bit of racism.

[@BeSk9991]

yeah like literally Vaush braindead take (after long time)... Like, Iran is radical islamists. Why should we want them to have influence... "omg they only fund terrorist groups because we have some western democracy (israel) and allies (saudis) in the region" ... wtf

[@ADot-fi1ny]

@squidward5110 Both Canada and the US are Liberal capitalist democracies. And their political interests align most of the time. But Iran and some Arab countries are adversaries. There is no way Iran with a Shia Guardianship system can lead Sunni countries without the use of force. Their enemity goes back a 1000 years.

[@rockmycd1319]

@@squidward5110there’s no such thing as a “natural hegemony” lmao. Shiites aren’t even unilaterally pro-Iran and yet you think there would be minimal antagonism towards an Iranian hegemony?

[@_extrathicc]

Vaush got the Las Vegas-Paradise thing backwards. Las Vegas is the larger settlement (and county) while Paradise is the unincorporated territory in wich all the casinos are.

[@Seth9809]

I was screaming

[@BadPerson789]

nice profile pic

[@ezralegum6236]

What a huge blunder, too. His whole point was moot.

[@serversurfer6169]

@@ezralegum6236 … cuz names? 😕

[@aguyontheinternet8436]

@@serversurfer6169 How is it that no one hanging around Vaush is able to tell the difference between a joke of something completely unrelated and an actual direct attack of a statement

[@scorpion3128]

I dont think Iran is as strong as Vaush makes out, but they are arguably the strongest power in the region. That said, they have a lot of trouble and idk if thebcurrent govt will survive our lifetime.

[@joey_youtube]

It won't even survive the 2020s

[@hartheffe]

It depends on where the fight is. Invading them would be next to impossible or require like a decade of buildup. That doesn’t mean they’re stronger than us, it’s just an extremely geographically lucky country and their military has been preparing for decades.

[@rquart]

Hello dear vaush, I'm an iranian in tehran. Im going to tell you that shouldn't be the hegemon of the middle east, before the Islamic republic is down. This state is a purely cruppet and authoritarian system practically a worse version of fudalism, especially with how the ayatollah runs everything. I hope the people will rise up once more, which they will to take down this regime and bring a capitalist democracy, so we can actually try to achieve socialism. Right now everyone in Iran is a hard right and practically regressive and instead of this government, they want the Shahzadeh back.

[@Mesopotamian]

hello brother, I'm from Iraq, and I agree with everything you said (except the words "Capitalist democracy!" these 2 words don't mix) and this Iranian regime basically rules over my country Iraq as well, and it completely ruined my country, I'm an atheist, so there's no one hates this regime more than me but I want you to think why are they in power and how did it become like that?! decades of western influence, installing dictators, and steraling our resources, brought these a$$holes over us, because the low class suffered the most, and this regime offered them salvation from western terr0risim, and it needed to be an Islamist religious regime because religion is a powerful tool used to unite people together against the common enemy you say you wish to achieve socialism! if that were to happen, the US would erase Iran from the map... and if you allied with the west, you'd basically give your country to a foreign invader that gives no sh!t about you or your thousands of years old nation, look at us when they brought their "democracy" they destroyed our nation and they took over our oil, we have no control over oil or our money from oil which is 99% of our economy, or look at Ukraine being used as a battleground (yes Russia is bad too, but the US want this war to continue as long as possible to make profits for their weapons dealers, and have a military base at Russian borders), or look at P*lestine, who despite they had a British puppet leader under direct British rule, they had their entire nation erased to make a western colony. no matter how bad the Iranian regime is, nothing in history is as bad as the American f*scist empire, so in the context of this video, the Iranian regime is the lesser evil compared to the US

[@rquart]

@@Mesopotamian hello, thank you. this comment was pretty old, and what I meant was a liberal republic, so we can move from normal capitalism to worker cooperative capitalism and to socialism. The nazis have fucked up the middle east very hard. they called Arabs honorary Aryans and Iranians as true Aryans, basically making everyone schizo nazis that want to kill each other people who identify as nazi or Sumka in Iran want Arabs all gone and Arab nationalist nazis and or Ba'aths want Iranians gone. I wish for a better day where such racism is no more in the middle east and we can all be rational brothers. also i used to be Muslim but now I identify as a agnostic Zoroastrian.

[@SomasAcademy]

~17:06 Egypt doesn't have a lot of political sway in the Arab world today, but it does have significant cultural influence. Egyptian Arabic is more common as a lingua franca than Modern Standard Arabic because Egyptian movies and TV are so popular throughout the Arab world.

[@duskpede5146]

chat in 1950 be like: vaush doesn't understand the deep divide between the franco-german peoples, the governments have been at war 3 times in the past century and the protestant germans would never get along with the catholics france.

[@mistared4021]

On enacting internal change in Iran, the reformists/moderates were the best bets to actually do something without a regime change but trump pulling out of the nuclear deal was the final nail in their coffin as they were losing power and that deal was their hail Mary.

[@rockmycd1319]

Yeah, that’s why the idea of rapprochement happening surrounding the Iranian nuclear program was a stupid idea. Apart from the lack of evidence showcasing an actual nuclear weapons program, it was always a tenuous deal that simply took Israel lying to smash it into pieces.

[@Heldarion]

@@rockmycd1319 and since Israel dances to the tune of US interests, that really means that US wanted to smash the deal into pieces.

[@rockmycd1319]

@@Heldarion Yeah i know trump wanted to tear the whole thing down regardless. What I’m saying is that Israel’s “leak” remains the strongest evidence of a nuclear weapons program past 2003, and that program’s existence is already tenuous.

[@rockmycd1319]

@@Heldarion so maybe the world as a whole should move away from this stupid idea of a nuclear weapons project

[@Heldarion]

​@@rockmycd1319 sure, unfortunately it's a convenient way of regimes to protect themselves against the threat of regime change by US (see Libya, North Korea, and also Iran). And Russia loves to swing it's nuclear dick around at no provocation whatsoever.

[@RunawayTrain2502]

"What if we did the thing I like and it would magically lead to all the outcomes I like?" -VGG, 2024

[@blakebrown534]

It's not that simple. We not being in the middle east does't mean the Shia-Sunni split does't exist. Iran and Iraq went to war a couple times and the Saudis want a damn nuke - which Trump was trying to help them get - as deterrence to the Iranians and that's not going to stop just because we physically leave the region.

[@badunladun4203]

setting as a goal to stop conflict forever is idealistic . the borders dont make sense and america wont let anyone change them

[@krieginphernjacobson]

Vaush's original comment: "We should allow Iran to be the Middle Eastern hegemon" Vaush's motte: "What am I being persecuted for? My belief in diplomacy?"

[@rockmycd1319]

Chamberlain seal of approval

[@tigerguy529]

What's the alternative? And how do we achieve that alternative? cause we can talk all day about what the ideal Middle East geopolitical situation would look, but we have shown time and time again that the US's involvement tends to only make the problem WORSE

[@rockmycd1319]

@@tigerguy529 Which of course means that Iranian hegemony won’t result in the same outcomes for the same reason. It’s not as if even Shiites in Iraq are turning on Iran, despite Shiites supposedly being all pro-Iran

[@malarkyjones1]

Mearshimer but middle east lol

[@jevinliu4658]

​@@rockmycd1319(they are not all pro-Iran. In fact, quite the opposite, they don't like Iran at all)

[@peterwindhorst5775]

the top item would be first reopen the embassy in Iran. Then we can directly talk with them.

[@DarkestKnightshade]

Our interference in the region hasnt been productive or helpful, but to think iran should/would dominate the middle east is laughable if you have any idea how complicated geopolitics and religion are there. A large portion of the middle east is sunni and iran is shia muslim. After our meddling got rid of saddam as a brutal secular dictator and now iraq is in many ways a client state for iran, their new large opposing force is the brutal religious monarchs in saudi Arabia and the gulf states. If we did nothing, there would still be tensions and wars there. To say nothing of their ethnic tensions and border disputes further north near Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is backed up by turkey. An oversimplified version, is that regardless of what US does, there are 3 larger ideologies in contradiction to each other in the region. Theres the religious fanatics like iran who are vehemently opposed to anything western and think all surrounding people who disagree should be overthrown and united under 1 caliphate. There's the "secular" Islamists/muslims (not sure what the proper term is) who would like to unite a large arab coalition, and use the guise of religion if necessary, but due to conflict, revolts, and outside interference have/had become islands (saddam hussein, bashar assad, *kind of* erdogan, Egypts Mubarak, Libyas Gaddafi) Then there are the monarchies particularly in the Gulf states who are definitely religious in their rule, implementing restrictive and brutal Sharia on their citizens, but who are happy to bend the rules for rich and powerful foregin people (boxing events, ufc, rich parties with lots of "degeneracy") to invest and be invested. So long as they maintain their hold on power. There are an unbelievably numerous amount of smaller conflicting ideologies as well that i neglect to mention for the sake od brevity If iran were to dominate the other groups and influence the entire region, there would be huge bloodbath even without us getting involved, and then afterwards region would be an unstable powder keg that could implode as well as lash out and hurt neighbors. The whole thing is a mess with us, but would remain a mess without us. Ignorant take. Now, i am admittedly beset by tiredness

[@aquelegabriel]

Yeah. Protestants and catholics hate each other. They killed themselves for centuries. No Catholic country would EVER get along with a protestant country. They will forever be at war... Those populations will always be fighting for hegemony. Oh no, wait... This vision that "this kind of Muslim" will forever hate "that kind of Muslim" and that they are completely irrational and bloodthirsty so there's never a diplomatic solution and that they can never get along is so dumb. A bit racist too, btw Look at the history of Ireland and England. Are they at war right now? Do they get along? Then shut up about the inevitability of war in the middle east

[@finalcut612]

you didn't hear him. he said that without constant western intervention, these issues would not have made it the shitshow it is today. Muslims of different sects coexisted peacefully in the middle east for generations, there's nothing inherent to the region which says it couldn't have been relatively peaceful there, but because of western powers' fucking the region over and over again, NOW we're stuck with the extremist ultranationalist idiots in Iran and the incredibly violent situation in Yemen and not to mention the situation in Palestine.

[@udbhav5079]

Well, you totally glossed over the solution Vaush talked about. Negotiations and diplomacy are potent tools that the USA never considers in a positive light. Your fear of Iranian dominance shows your neo-con tendency _(maybe racist, too)_ to handle foreign affairs that will never improve things. As of now, every region on this planet has a regional power that bullies its neighbours. You cannot write a thesis on religious atrocities and justify the antagonizing presence of the USA. Your analysis of religious conflicts might be correct, but that is not a solution. I can use your argument to justify all US atrocities that ever existed. Why can't the US implement positive trade and cultural relations with Iran?

[@rockmycd1319]

@@udbhav5079What about OP’s comment left out diplomacy? The fact that you genuinely think there’s nothing to fear about a fascist state exerting dominance over a region is incredible. You can negotiate without turning to 1930s style appeasement, or maybe you think that was the correct choice?

[@DarkestKnightshade]

@@udbhav5079 good thing I never tried to defend US policy then. But if you want to make that up in your head you can. I do think we should make a show of good faith by getting back into the iran deal even if it could have been better to start with. We should generally take a hands off approach to the middle east as much as possible. But Iran will not and should not be the dominant alternative. That simply won't happen no matter what we do because there are too many conflicting ideologies in the region

[@mikhaelgribkov4117]

The Vaush is wrong on the sanctions, as the reason for them not working with ruzzia is because Europe, especially Germany and France, kept having deals with ruzzia and openly tried to cooperate, while ignoring everyone who said that it only allows ruzzia to get more leverage.

[@swifts6879]

“ruzzia” NAFO idiot detected, opinion discarded

[@rockmycd1319]

@@swifts6879Can’t insult Russia anymore?

[@moonmanjam9897]

Rizza

[@swifts6879]

@@rockmycd1319 I just noticed my comments gone. No insulting Russia is completely okay it’s just that there is an element of hypocrisy coming from certain western outlets on it at times, especially NAFOids

[@cooper3561]

I am engaging with the video - the algorithm likes this

[@brendankendall41]

I AM SO FUCKING ENGAGED RIGHT NOW

[@vrdynasty3896]

Engaging.

[@tyruskarmesin5418]

All hail

[@billclockwell]

Honest question: how is China a regional hegemon? They obviously have a lot of power globally, but in their own region every country around them is allied with Russia, India or The US, they just have mongolia in that region

[@billclockwell]

Iran is already more of a regional hegemon than China, but of course has no where near the actual global power that China possesses

[@arskakarva7474]

Well they do get halfsies in regards to North Korea with Russia.

[@sypherthe297th2]

China is an interesting case of being such jagoffs to most of their neighbors that pretty much all of them hate China. China has literally turned Vietnam into a US ally. Its hilarious how the Chinese are incompetent in nearly every way imaginable. Their manufacturing dominance was a historical accident created by Western corporate interests. The fact that was a massive mistake is now recognized and is slowly being corrected.

[@ckhpersonal670]

Whatifalthist logic here

[@ckhpersonal670]

actually, nah, these takes are his biggest L delusion that exceeds Whatifalthist. China is more liberalized than Russia, really?

[@aquelegabriel]

Poor Vaush. I understand the suffering that is trying to defend a diplomatic solution when all people really want is the easy solution of "let's just kill the 'bad guys' and be done with it" that never worked and only creates more enemies. Now I get how Kissinger stayed so much time as a politically relevant person even among democrats. It's insane to me that the chat can understand that vilifying Hamas and the Palestinians IS the cause for the hate Palestinians have for Israel and that it was worthless in creating a peaceful solution, while saying that any negotiation with Iran is doomed because they're evil. IT'S LITERALLY THE SAME THING. The US can only think in terms of wars. The US foreign policy can't understand soft diplomacy. It knows nothing else, but war. It's sad that even the people left-wing enough to be in the chat is THIS goddamn bloodthirsty for war and impoverishing the middle east with more worthless sanctions.

[@rockmycd1319]

Appeasement is not a diplomatic solution, actually. Rapprochement with Iran should not hand them hegemonic control over the MiddleEast, but diminish it

[@dreamwolfnektovich1944]

How the fuck "just do diplomacy" by "opening trade" is not wishing for an easy solution??? I hear this shit for 10 years of war with Russia. You should do diplomacy where you can make a deal meaning you have power to give something they want. What kind of power US have over Iran? In Israel US have power, there US can make diplomacy like Reagan did (do not give them guns unless they chill a bit). How giving Iran concessions not result in situation like with Russia? Iran is self sufficient it doesn't really need good relations with US that much, it's easier for them to continue what they are doing right now (realpolitik approach) then to sincerely repair relations with the west. The problem with US foreign policy is not lack of soft power but general lack of interest in outside world and poor management. While it is true that there are places where US doesn't use diplomacy where it should. In Africa US looses it's influence to China and there US should be more favorable with trade deals. In Iran there is no prospect to do such deals right now. The soft approach with Iran can only work if there will be drastic change in the region without US involvement which will lead to a shift in Iran's internal politics. Remember how Vietnam quickly repaired the relations with US after they bombed them with napalm? That happened because China fucked around with Vietnam and it came for the US's help. Iran must come for US by themself at least a little before having "diplomacy".

[@aquelegabriel]

@@rockmycd1319 it's not fucking appeasement. It's accepting the goddamn reality. They DO have power in the region. Trying to use force to diminish that power didn't work, it doesn't work. All this does is create enemies and fuel wars

[@aquelegabriel]

@@dreamwolfnektovich1944 1944? Interesting name... You do remember that Iran had a diplomatic deal with the US, right? The nuclear deal? Yeah, they respected that deal. The US didn't. They DID try to have a better relationship with the west. Your vision of "diplomacy is only an option in a position of absolute power" (since you claim the most powerful country in the history of the planet doesn't have enough power over Iran) is insane. This is the mentality of colonialism. You have no interest in actual diplomacy. You wish to be a benevolent dictator, because you think diplomacy is only an option if the weak side has no options, but to obey the powerful side commands.

[@giverdend1416]

@@dreamwolfnektovich1944 They tried the nuclear deal, and they supported the Bush administration during their initial war against the Taliban. What else constitutes as "they must come for US by themselves" in this scenario? They literally reached out both times and got their hand bitten by the US. It's time the US showed some willingness to not throw them under the bus. Plus, the US has yet to formally apologize for the coup they pulled in 1953 which started this whole bullshit; the ball is literally in the US' court on this matter, though I suspect Iran is done with the diplomatic approach after Trump showcased that US' word is as good as a fart.

[@jshwck4210]

Never say anything about people who play paradox games again. This is basically the religious and influence idea groups from EU4.

[@rockmycd1319]

Lmao true

[@arskakarva7474]

Also ironically enough, literally the kind of shit Henry Kissinger would get up to.

[@anastasiusrostami5898]

As an Iranian who love Vaush and almost all his takes, I just plainly ignore whenever I see he posts a video about Iran. He doesn't know anything about 1979 and his ideas about National Front is even more ridiculous than the propaganda shoved in our throats in high school. If you're not Iranian and you consider yourself progressive/liberal/Socialist etc. please do us a favour and don't listen to Vaush when it comes to Iran or you might unintentionally side with worst Reactionary religious fundamentalist and hard line nationalist forces that destroyed our country. Thank you ❤

[@GalacticNovaOverlord]

having liberal and perhaps even progressive in the same camp as socialist is confusing. Liberals are just imperialists that delude themselves that imperialism (usually western) brings positive social change.

[@UCUCUC27]

vaush making the tyrion scene in GOt is funny but its true "you dont make peace with allies only your enemies"

[@quinardosoto977]

As far as the cultural and regional power discussion in general, not specific to Iran but to how to engage regional totalitarian states, i do agree with Vaush because of one thing: the USA's primary strategy of geopolitical engagement is soft power focus backed by the ability to roll up on anyone who bothers us with overwhelming force. Locking strong or even mildly relevant local powers out of reach of our soft power by fully locking them out of the globalized system we dominate is entirely counterproductive to our own strategy.

[@quinardosoto977]

@donovan4222 I mean, the real answer is global socialism; which means it's not something easily achievable, much less in any measurable timeframe (at least as things currently stand). However, it's always important to keep in mind that the USA just happens to be the most powerful hegemonic power rn; any other country would be just as bad (if not much worse, i.e., China), any powerful enough state will be oppressive and exploitative by definition, just some more than others. Also, the US is not a totalitarian state. it doesn't mean we're the good guys; it just means we're not the worst state out there, because there are totalitarian states that we stand against.

[@yabuki4608]

Dumb take. You need to differentiate between where militia groups in the region go for weapons and financial support and this vauge "cultural" influence you're alluding too. This should be obvious but Sunni Arab's in the Middle East don't look to Shi'ite Persian Iran for "Culture". Also the idea that Saudi's don't have culture is laughable to any Arab.

[@danialdehghani9640]

The culture is not the religion its the anti American attitude. And the reason its that is because alot of people got shafted by America in the region.

[@yabuki4608]

@@danialdehghani9640 Iran's only export to the middle east is Shia Islam and death squads. I don't know where the idea came from that the middle east needed or needs Iran to be anti American.

[@rockmycd1319]

@@danialdehghani9640The religious sect and/or occasional nationalism takes precedent over the anti-Americanism

[@Yormolch]

I was there during the stream and even got a few questions in. It was a pretty rough and straining segment, especially since I experienced first hand how people in the chat can be whipped up into a frenzy for and against Vaush. Vaush called so many people "Neocons" "Warhawks" and "Neolibs", just for questioning his line of argument. For instance the problem I had with his take: Iran is an oppressive, authoritarian, hard-conservative, theocratic regime, that supports terrorism and other theocratic, authoritarian, hard-conservative, oppressive groups in the region. Vaush argues, that we should just leave them alone and let them be the regional hegemon, that basically decides how to best stabilize the region, that they should deal with local conflicts. Problem is, how do you think they would do that? We tried the same thing with Russia and especially in Europe, there are still weirdos, who argue that Russia should decide, what happens with all countries around it, because it is the "regional hegemon". It doesn't matter, how those countries became what they are, especially since it would be a form of american exceptionalism, to say that they only became authoritarian dictatorships, because of the USA. What matters is, how do they behave currently and what would happen, if they would be unopposed. Now that I have that part of my rant out of the way, I have to say, Vaush is right "in a hypothetical". IF (and that's a big IF) Iran would topple its ruling class and become a mostly secular republic, that promotes liberty and peace, they should definitly be the regional hegemon, over Saudi Arabia. Even now they are slightly better than the other option. The question then becomes, how do we get to a point, where the region has a possible hegemon that isn't full of religious zealots and warmongers? And what should we do (appart from invading and sanctions, since it has been established that those don't work) if the regional hegemon invades/oppresses/sabotages/terrorises another country, when it doesn't conform to their believes? Should we just... let them do it? I think Vaush has the right idea, but he didn't articulate how to get to a point, where Iran can be the thing he wants it to be, without more people suffering from it. (appart from lifting sanctions and actually talking to Iran again, that's a nobrainer, but also just a start)

[@catrielmarignaclionti4518]

"Vaush called so many people "Neocons" "Warhawks" and "Neolibs", just for questioning his line of argument." No, he did that because people were begging for sanctions and to invade now.

[@rockmycd1319]

Mostly agree, though I don’t think Iran right now is better off controlling the Middle East, especially Sunni majority states.

[@TheSolarWolf]

I ask you this, what would you do instead of diplomacy to stop a nation from invading another nation? Would you outright invade them? Should we invade Russia to stop them from invading Ukraine like we did to Iraq? Do we just invade every nation to stop their evil and impose our correct will? Because what you are suggesting is just another form of western imperialism

[@Yormolch]

@@rockmycd1319 Yeah, the "right now" is the huge problem with Vaushs take. Like I already alluded to, a lot would need to happen for this to be a good outcome.

[@rockmycd1319]

@@TheSolarWolfI mean, letting the genocides happen doesn’t seem to be the solution either.

[@alexkats30]

Finally a valid point from Vaush, when it comes to the detrimental effect of the western/US interests trying to be the ruler of everyone and everything

[@horacioelconserjeopina3956]

Yet his neoliberal fans only want gay prides in every single corner of the world

[@Paul.......]

?? He talks about that all the time have you never heard him talk about any history in Latin America at all?

[@alexkats30]

@@Paul....... I was getting too much "yay Ukraine" and "scare Hezbollah away" kind of "US and NATO do no wrong" pieces

[@Blackgriffonphoenixg]

​@alexkats30 you must have alzheimer's if that's all you remember

[@Paul.......]

@alexkats30 ok so you're one of those "Ukraine war is nato's fault" andys. Got it. Also his commentary on US vs Hezbollah was mostly just commenting on how the US would flatten them from afar- which is probably true even if it sounds military-weebish. It's such annoying behavior using an all encompassing statement like that w/ two examples, when he literally constantly mentions how the US fckd the world up. He doesnt even support the carrier being near Hezbollah iirc

[@zemiron]

Vaush is right about engaging in diplomacy with Iran. We should so it because it's in our interest but also because the Iranian people are far less anti-West than their government is. And there's no reason to think that government will always be in power.

[@aguyontheinternet8436]

Did you just imply that the US should focus on subtly convincing the civilians to riot and coup lmao

[@JjkJjk-or9kc]

@@aguyontheinternet8436 that would be based ,no one should suffer under the rule of theocrats ,how would you like a particular religion being forced on you also the religious minorities have horrible persecution there Stop defending the mollas(who you have also ironically banned youtube while you defend them lol)

[@zemiron]

@@aguyontheinternet8436 nope. Just that the many people living in Iran hate their authoritarian government and will probably fight again it one day.

[@Masaru_kun]

I can agree with Vaush that Iran helps stabilize the region... but Iran is Shia because the Safavid dynasty wanted to consolidate control over their territory, so they basically made being Sunni or anything else illegal for generations, in a place that barely had Shias before. Iran's religious culture is the direct result of an empire explicitly wanting to maintain political control. That's the actual history of Iran and I don't think Vaush is aware of it, or atleast he doesn't acknowledge it here. My point being that it's probably not a good idea to contrast Iran's state religion with Saudis, as if one is 'grass roots' and the other is 'fake'... Both have served similar political roles for a looong time.

[@Masaru_kun]

@@donovan4222sorry if it was over your head, but my point was that all religions are basically used by empires to try to maintain power. ...and if Vaush knew the history of Iran he wouldn't say Shia islam was some kind of 'grass roots' movement there... throughout history its been totally top-down.

[@Masaru_kun]

@@donovan4222 There should be a multi-lateral, diplomacy-based solution, not a US-led military solution. that much is clear and Vaush doesn't acknowledge it. But I think you're missing the relevance of my original point. The reason Vaush's perspective on this US attack is lacking, is because he doesn't understand the historical context: not of Iran, not of Yemen, and not of Saudi Arabia who also notably _opposed_ these new US attacks on Yemen. Vaush claims the Houthis are just doing this out of hatred for Israel, but understanding that US-backed Saudi blockade that Yemen has suffered from, and the reasons why both Iran and Saudi Arabia oppose these recent attacks, would allow Vaush to actually gauge this situation properly. He has no nuance because he has no historical understanding. That's my point. You don't need to strawman me like I'm supporting US empire, by pointing out the fact that Iran's religious culture has a history of being imposed from the top down for imperial purposes. (The Saudis and emirates arent special here like vaush pretends)

[@MrGksarathy]

It's actually a bit more complex than this, since the Safavids were themselves actually the spiritual leaders of the Qizlbash, an Alid Sufi order, and Ali worship was quite common in the region. What Shah Abbas did was attempt to bring these practices in line with formal Shi'ism in order to cement his control and sideline the Qizlbash. This process took at least 100 years to truly take and establish mainline Twelve Shi'ism as the dominant religion, but it didn't start from nowhere.

[@MrGksarathy]

​@@Masaru_kunHe didn't say that, only that Iran has a ton of cultural capital, which is true.

[@Masaru_kun]

@@MrGksarathy bro he specifically referred to iran's state religion's influence as 'grassroots' lol. his word not mine. you seem to acknowledge that the transition to Twelve Shi'ism in Iran happened from the top-down, to cement political control, so I don't think we disagree. State religion in Iran has functioned similarly to state religion in Saudi Arabia for a long time now. I don't think Vaush genuinely cares or learns about religion that much, even in a political context, so what is an obvious pattern to some he doesn't seem to know about. He even tries to contrast Iran's leaders' beliefs with the Saudis, as if one is significantly more fake or politically motivated than the other. Obviously religion has come with huge political motivations in Iran especailly ever since the revolution.

[@user-oz3sk8ec2e]

This is one of the things that I fundamentally disagree with Vaush on. Although US actions against Iran in the Middle East is very destabilizing, Iran itself is a psychotic Islamist nation on par with the likes of Saudi Arabia and we should not be letting it become the "big boy" or hegemon of the Middle East at all, we should attempt to isolate it and apply economic pressure on it much the same way as what happened with South Africa whilst also not resorting to violent means. Vaush seems to be far too pro-Iran here without realizing that Iran's goals for the Middle East are in the long run going to cause a lot of destabilization if we just allow them to do whatever they want

[@alessiodelcastillo1613]

Exactly. People forget that before 9/11, Iran was essentially acting like the bully of the Middle East. Especially after the 1979 Revolution. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia have opposing Islamic ideologies of Sunni vs Shia. And both want to expand their Muslim beliefs to the rest of the Middle East much like the ancient caliphates. That being said, Iran struck first. Saudi Arabia is psychopathic and corrupt but they are relatively controlled as seen with Biden practically leaving Yemen’s slaughter fest which Saudi Arabia created. Iran can’t. Not even Russia or China can control them. Iran has control over Iraq now too. The Iraq war did not help the west or Israel, it actually hurt us since Saddam was an enemy to Iran. Iran’s jihadist militants are openly genocidal with their beliefs on Israel (Jews as a whole tbf), infidels, LGBTQ people, atheists, and anything secular or western

[@mugwump9031]

Comparing Iran to Saudi Arabia is brain dead. Anyone who understands local geopolitics in that region understand that Shia Muslims are far less radical than Sunni muslims. Just compare the human rights records of both countries, both bad of course, and both authoritarian, but Iran is by and far closer to nation inching closer to secularism. This is some liberal reactionary ass bullshit on your end.

[@Yormolch]

That's certainly the way he comes across, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, that he was just very bad at articulating his point this time? Like he possibly means bringing about a systemic change in Iran by applying targeted economic ties to them, that can also be used as pressure and leverage. Like showing the people of Iran that the West is not an enemy, and so they no longer support an oppressive regime, because they only think they need that to protect them from "the West". And after that is done, they could be a regional hegemon. That would have been an argument, I could theoretically support. Problem is, he didn't articulate it that way and also sounded way to optimistic about the possibility of that working and didn't sound at all worried about the possibility of Iran abusing that hegemonic status (as the US has also done in the past) and what "the West" should do, to support countries that would get abused by a hegemonic Iran.

[@rockmycd1319]

@@YormolchI think it’s guided by a fear of Iran’s nuclear program, despite the fact that there’s literally close to nothing suggesting they’re developing nuclear weapons.

[@itzhen7032]

problem is that sanctions hasnt worked yet, and no reason to believe it will ever work

[@Bersekintime]

Bad optics move on vaushs part here. He should know every trans girl knows the borders around Vegas due to the hit fallout game Fallout: New Vegas

[@ikanarts1463]

This video so bad it warrants a response

[@setsunatenma9467]

Agree I am waiting for a channel to make it

[@MagicalStudiosjm]

refreshing to hear ideas like these keep doing it brother

[@tobiasaarns8920]

Supporting, even as a hypothetical scenario, an outcome grounded in hegemony sounds too much like the talking point of the realist school of international politics and a take Henry Kissinger would have gotten behind. Are the nation states of the Middle East a postcolonial shitshow? Definitely. Are Iran, Oman, and Egypt each in there own way more culturally, religiosity and institutional coherent then there neighbours? Also yes. But concluding, that on this bases they are ripe to be the leading power of the region is in my opinion missing the point of the structural differences between the national bodies formed in postimperial times beginning after WW1. And I totally agree with people in the comments, voicing concerns over a lack of wight given to the Shia/Sunni devide, wich is furthered by the scars of imperial drawn borders and forced construction of nation states. This divider was cemented by the europian empires and got a polished coat of paint by the Americans at the turnnof the century. Nationstates are cracking with this rantions or try, like soran, like the Saudis, to solve this through empirebuilding themselves. But neither forced imperial control or postcolonial statehood did any good for the people of the region and Irans own interest in empire building dose not help thier case either. Maybe you could argue, again in the hypothetical, that a Iranian influence alongside societal developments - their people are time and again trying to secure themselves more freedoms and the education of women, bloody half of the population, is much preferable to the situation under the Saudis or the emirs of the golf, but shoulder we not rest our hopes on this people driven rout of change instead of the military and religious claims to grateness, represent by the current Iranian regime? And, as people pointed out, there are the innerislamic tension and a worst case scenario of them is still playinng itself out in Yemen, were the usual suspects are playing the big boy Games.

[@vassinarain]

“Just sanction them bro” says the American chatter who, completely ignorant to the aggressive and violent nature of sanctions, couldn’t live more than a week without relying on international trade

[@Aynighu]

This is one of the dumbest things he's ever said.

[@horacioelconserjeopina3956]

Boo hoo, Vaush is against American imperialism 😢😢😢

[@michaelhomes8049]

How?

[@horacioelconserjeopina3956]

@@michaelhomes8049 he dosent want white people killing brown Muslims 😭😭😭

[@user-rh1iv7yp2c]

Vaush finally says something that pushes back against Western orthodoxy for once in his life, and his audience disagree with it lol

[@horacioelconserjeopina3956]

@@user-rh1iv7yp2c because most are neoliberals with anarchist aesthetics. They would never let go from their starbuskcs, iphones and trans rights

[@claytonramsey9897]

I grew up around a lot of Iranian expats (who invariably call themselves “Persians”) and I can confirm that Persian culture is vibrant and could easily be more influential. Especially food and music.

[@giverdend1416]

Iran has more ethnic groups than just Persians, such as Kurds, Turks, Lors, Gilaks, Baluchs, Arabs, Afghans, Armenians, etc. The reason why the Iranian expats you've encountered call themselves Persians is because they are _ethnically_ Persian. Iranian is or was their nationality. If they no longer identify with their previous nationality, they'll most likely introduce themselves by their ethnic identity.

[@hjf3022]

Paradise is more of a district that contains the strip and a few other things (airport, University, etc). A small slice of the greater metropolitan area if you include Henderson and North Las Vegas. It is a hole though (including many other parts of non-strip Vegas). I lived in Paradise NV for a few years. The roads were warped and damaged. It's 100% car oriented, the bus system is crap, it will take you two hours to get to work if you had to bus across town. Walking is hell because there's no tree cover anywhere to protect you against the desert sun, and everything is far away because the expectation is that you have a car. And theres the risk of getting shot or mugged at gunpoint.

[@GalacticNovaOverlord]

For the most part, very good analysis by Vaush. Diplomacy, not invasion is the way to go.

[@ever-openingflower8737]

Another good historic example of cultural borders is the Greek language. The time period when actual Greek persons actually ruled politically was pretty short. It was mostly just a few individual city states and then a few Macedonians in a league, and then Alexander the Great conquered a big chunk of land that was immediately lost after he died. Ever since then, actual Greek persons never personally ruled much land globally ever. But throughout history, the influence of the Greek language and Greek culture must increased and increased massively, until historians called it "Hellenism". But Hellenism didn't mean that suddenly Greeks were everywhere. Actual Greek Hellenes were a minority. The entire central and Eastern Mediterranean region started learning the Greek language the same way lots of people learn English today. The Greek cultural influence was massively bigger than their political power ever was. Most well educated Romans spoke Greek. Most well educated people in Israel/Palestine spoke Greek. The gospels were either originally written in Greek or it was the first language they were ever translated into. The apostles spoke Greek.

[@SupremeGrand-MasterAzrael]

I cannot stand when Vaush talks about history or geopolitics. He is so ignorant of history it hurts. He knows next to nothing about the region or it’s cultural groups. It is almost infuriating to hear some speak so confidently while being so unaware. Leave this part of the discussion to people who actually know SOMETHING about it.

[@BRAINSPLATTER16]

No argument detected.

[@rob9368]

He needs to stick to his lane. He knows so little about historical events.

[@SupremeGrand-MasterAzrael]

@@rob9368 Don't get me wrong, not everyone is into history. But as a giant history nerd myself, it's super irritating lol

[@badunladun4203]

"as a history nerd myself🤓" meanwhile denies iran's cultural importance and millenia of history in favor of a country made by beduins a century ago with oil money

[@Lokiofsuburbia]

This is one of those videos where the thesis is wrong, but there's a ton of useful information anyway.

[@mysticonthehill]

The not bombing Kyoto is because if the honeymoon is a myth I looked it up before using it to make a point unlike Vaush obviously.

[@TheRealFacemanguy]

The anti-diplomacy in the chat was really bizarre

[@richardarriaga6271]

Chat is against Mearshimering. I agree. We should have as few hegemons as possible. Ideally none.

[@GalacticNovaOverlord]

@@richardarriaga6271 Diplomacy is better than war

[@user-oz3sk8ec2e]

my god this is a bad take

[@horacioelconserjeopina3956]

Are you pro liberal hegemony?

[@user-oz3sk8ec2e]

@@horacioelconserjeopina3956 no, i'm pro-non islamist theocratic regime hegemony

[@horacioelconserjeopina3956]

@@user-oz3sk8ec2e be pragmatic, I prefer Islamic hegemony in the middle over western hegemony in the middle east

[@user-oz3sk8ec2e]

@@horacioelconserjeopina3956 ??? western hegemony has been very destabilizing and detrimental to the middle east so far but the west has the option and ability to exercise responsible and stabilizing hegemony over the middle east until the nations figure themselves out and extremism is stopped for the most part, letting islamic hegemony rule over the middle east will do absolutely nothing in the long term apart from continue oppression and violence due to religious/economic factors. islamic hegemony isnt capable of lifting the middle east out of its current state

[@horacioelconserjeopina3956]

@@user-oz3sk8ec2e it's their civilizational duty. The west must stop thinking like the white supremasist of all. You sound just like a anglo colonizer saying that the locals are not enlightened. For once america must realize that they should interfer in other nations. American socialists just focus on a worker owned economy, LGBT rights, emancipation of workers, progressivism and combating climate change, not how to Psyop the middle easy

[@diegorux]

The same argument of "don't challange the regional superpower" could be used on the Russia/Ukraine conflict. And no mention on the sunni/shia split here, lazy arguments

[@firstwavenegativity6379]

Iran is legitimately a decent parallel to Russia in the Middle East. At this point it's essentially a pariah state much poorer than it's size and cultural significance would suggest, has essentially no significant allies except terrorist organisation in the region and is a massive destabilising force. I don't know what logic would lead someone to wanting Iran as a hegemonic force

[@richardarriaga6271]

​@@donovan4222Well, if other countries could offer democracy and wealth while willing to defend it, the US corporate system would collapse quickly. We would see Americans leave and other migrants flock there. Instead most wealthy countries are more xenophobic. Look at how Japan, China, UK, France, etc. treat immigrant workforces and fail to incorporate them into civil society.

[@rashaadpratt2011]

I love clicking on a vaush video expecting to learn about foreign politics for an hour and it’s actually 15 minutes of learning and 45 minutes of chat being dumbfucks

[@senseikyle77]

This feels like a Hasan take lol

[@richardarriaga6271]

Yeah, did Hasan put something in his clothes?

[@an-eios7125]

Finally, Vaush has reached the logical conclusion of his foreign policy takes : spheres of influence and imperialism

[@aquelegabriel]

No, it's literally the opposite of that! Understanding that some countries have a cultural and economic influence over a region and stop trying to bend that in your favour is NOT imperialism. Is literally the opposite

[@dr_birb]

​@@aquelegabrieldunno, blaming US sanctions on Russia after they have been into imperialism as a reason why Russia is doing imperialism is kinda... Wrong.

[@aquelegabriel]

@@dr_birb what? 1- the idea that the US has any moral grounds to complain about imperialism is laughable. 2- the US trying to impose their way militarily into other regions is, in many ways, at least part of the context for the Ukrainian war. 3- the guy LITERALLY defended giving power to a country with no cultural relevance in the region so it can overcome the local culture. This is by definition colonialism.

[@dreamwolfnektovich1944]

@@aquelegabriel "US imposing it's military is part of the context for the Ukrainian war" in what fucking way that's true? Is this the NATO expansion meme? This is literally what Putin says to throw dust in the eyes of the naive liberal minded westerners so that you don't do anything. Russia engaged in military imperialism since it's birth in 1991 far before any kind of NATO expansion in Ukraine. Literally before having a fucking constitution it was already breaking away a part of Moldova. And later two brutal wars in Chechnya. As for Ukraine specifically it tried to fuck around with Crimea during the Tuzla island conflict in 2003. Then after the Orange revolution the foreign policy towards Ukraine turned to to worse and the gas wars started. And so on and so on... US military doesn't have any part in any of those conflicts it's just blunt power grabs of the decaying empire.

[@richardarriaga6271]

​@@aquelegabrielThe US had the least to do militarily in Eastern Europe. Obama and Merkel left Ukraine hanging in the wind when Russia invaded. Poland blackmailed its way into NATO. FDR was happy to sell out Eastern Europe to the Soviets. The US has been bending over backwards to Russian interests for decades and Europe for centuries.

[@NuclearDemoman]

50:25 That would be extremely historically fitting, considering Achaemenid Persia's practice of throwing Darics at any Greek city-state during the Peloponnesian War. It would be nice to be allowed to visit the tombs of Cyrus and Darius one day.

[@davitdavid7165]

The dubai thing is so true. My family wrnt there for a few days and i remember walking in an underground tunnel in one of the cities. On the tunnel there was art on the tiles of people playing polo in the desert. It was not bad by any mwans, but compared to the tunnel art i had seen in tbilisi or the grafity i saw during my short new york stay it felt soulless. I even said to my parrants "you cant buy soul"

[@SonicAF]

Oh, yes. The "at least they are genuine monsters" argument. Well played.

[@slenders1ckn3ss]

Under the veneer of Vegas is the heart of a small town. In population it's the same as my city. It closes at 9pm. The people are tired and underpaid. There's a Target and a smalltown restaurant called Blueberry Hill. There's so much away from the strip, but it's grossly overshadowed. I love it tho.

[@andrewgreenwood9068]

Interestingly oman actually has a reasonable amount of sway in the region

[@nathanmcguire932]

Omans also fairly stable and west-friendly (by comparison) from what I understand

[@andrewgreenwood9068]

@@nathanmcguire932 I imagine being neither sunni or shia would reduce religious conflict. They are also usually the channel through witch the US and Iran conduct diplomacy.

[@arcturionblade1077]

Ah, cultural *soft power*. I can dig it (the idea of it, at least).

[@quinardosoto977]

It sounds to me more like an argument chasing a pre-determined conclusion, as opposed to a conclusion drawn from analysis of facts or principles. I say this because all of Vaush's arguments apply to one other party with interests in the Middle East and local power and historical backing and cultural influence potential etc. TURKEY. The obly reason why the middle east isnt a two-way split on the zagros mountains between two powerful empires, one based in anatolia and one in persia, is because Turkey had an explicit isolationist foreign policy since the first world war.

[@duskpede5146]

turkey can barely keep its own country straight, they've never been able to invade and conquer the middle east in the 21st century. there's a reason why even European empires collapsed and no explicit territorial empires exist today. its because the conquered people don't want to be conquered, nationstates are a powerful idea and a country as poor as turkey could not control that territory. plus national interests of much larger powers would have a huge interest in trying to get a piece of that. ur delusional and need to play less hoi4 if you think this

[@quinardosoto977]

@duskpede5146 unless you're making a fully braindead argument that the USA, France, China, Russia, etc are not Imperialist countries in this the year of our lord 2023, you need to cool your jets saying that territorial empires are no longer a thing, and that has nothing to do with HOI4. Hell, the two countries in discussion, Iran and Turkey, are both empires because they both have Kurds within their borders that don't want to be part of those countries as they are currently organized. Not to mention other ethic minorities that would want their own nation-state like the Baloci people. You're coming in with the most uncharitable pre-determined conclusion of someone else's argument and embarrassing yourself by going full gas on breaking down an argument that ia)sn't even being presented and b) even if it was could have some validity even if not worded the best way. I'm trying to leave a comment on yt that is mildly readable and can be understood at a glance, but if you need an essays length with full bulletpointa so you can avoid jumping to the stupidest conclusions about other people's intentions then you shouldn't be commenting on social media.

[@colinhobbs7265]

@@quinardosoto977 The USA, France, and China are not Imperialist countries and Russia is actively failing in its attempts to be an empire. "Neo-imperialism" via dominant cultural exchange and economic power is different to classical imperialism. (Still bad, but the functions and dynamics of it work very differently.)

[@quinardosoto977]

@colinhobbs7265 I understand the difference between Imperialism and neo-imperialism; there's a reason why I didn't include, say, Mexico (which engages in neo-imperialism in Latin America at large through Telmex and various Entertainment conglomerates etc) in that list; the USA has many overseas territories that are administered as unequal to the actual states of the country and native americans are literally legally different to the rest od the population, France has the same thing going on with overseas territories unequal to the Metropolitan french, so does China (not overseas, but the tibetans, and uyghurs, and Dali people and so on, are not equal both de facto and de juro); and even if Russia is failing at its invasions, it's still an empire due to its unequal territorial jurisdictions like Dagestan and so forth. Imperialism, at least ho I understand it, is a dominant group of people ruling over other groups in an asymmetrical system that is both in law and in practice unequal, and those suppressed groups largely desire to either be legally and practically be made equal or to separate and form their own governemnt.

[@duskpede5146]

@@quinardosoto977 my point wasn't even about neo-imperialism vs normal imperialism. although your comment does not read like you knew what that was. my point was that turkey sucks and couldn't invade anything if they wanted to. idk why you got so mad at that tbh

[@moon_wizard1250]

The majority of the comments aren't taking into account that Iran's government is subject to change, much like every other nation. Vaush's point is that, over time, with US influence Iran could become something more akin to its Persian roots. That is to say, not a theocracy, and hopefully not a monarchy either like with the shah. At that point, it becomes the logical choice for middle eastern stewardship.

[@rockmycd1319]

Indeed, so until it changes I’d rather not give them control of the Middle East.

[@naldormight6420]

Its tragic when Americans forget their bigest strenght in foreign policy. Soft power! Even Germany and Japan in 1945 were turned around primarily by soft power and support. Now that Russia seems as weak as seldomluly before (they are cosing up to north korea ffs) we ought to really push that advantage and be mindfull of who could slide in to fill the gap. If the US did not back out of its agreement with Iran they would have found it harder to support Russia with their Killer drones.

[@Emre_Kermen]

I'm from Turkey. The moment Vaush said: "Suudis are cucked out to the west" I liked the video reflexively. My ears had my hand push that button before I can proccess it. Also wtf is Iran!!!! We must own it aallll!!!!

[@Karlswebb]

Vaush literally is so inconsistent here. He seems to get his back up when challenged. It all started when he unironically said Iran should be the fucking “regional hegemon” over the middle east. Like isn’t that what he argued no country has the right to be? How weirdly tankie and fascistic. Starting to get annoyed with him.

[@thaenaa]

my head is empty on this

[@RealmRabbit]

Interestingly Russia has people protesting rn because they're freezing... They have the oil, but they don't have parts to fix heaters and with their factories focused on making weapons right now they are struggling to acquire them...

[@the-gadfly4743]

Vaush should look into how the ideas spread throughout history, since he is operating under the impression that spread of Islam or Christianity happened through some sort of non-violent cultural exchange. And as far as the idea that a state "should be a hegemon" that means it should dominate other peoples, which supposedly was Vaush's problem with Russia not respecting the will of Ukrainian people. Apparently that's just fine and dandy in Middle East as long as Iran is the hegemon.

[@Karlswebb]

Pretty much. His views on the middle east are just so hilariously dominated by far left Palestinian activists lmao.

[@robzilla6444]

When I read the thumbnail I saw “Iran needs the big boy” and got very concerned

[@eliashe1797]

Going to have to keep pushing diplomacy and peace, basic ties and so forth, given the pushback in the audience.

[@n.6847]

the audience is so annoyingly stupid. or they are seeking parasocial attention from Vaush with those stupid comments knowing Vaush would respond. Either way, annoying bunch

[@Velociter]

This is the first vaush politics take that I genuinely think is bad. Yikes. I'd expect something like this from Hakim, but not vaush

[@michaelthompson679]

I think it was pretty based actually. Iran wouldn’t have a principalist government in charge naturally, there isn’t actually much desire in Iran among the population for hardline theocratic governance. The only thing that keeps them in power legitimately is because of US foreign policy

[@esesel7831]

Liberal😂

[@mogscugg2639]

"Iran is less bad than Saudi Arabia" what about that triggers you

[@rockmycd1319]

@@michaelthompson679 That’s like saying Nazi Germany would have liberalized if only they were given control of Europe. Even if this neo-Persian Empire were to come, the fascist government in Iran wouldn’t go away, they’d keep the anti-American shit and focus more on sectarianism and anti-Israel rhetoric.

[@MasterGhostf]

Lol, your saying a political commentary's opinion is bad? Thats like just your opinion. There is no objective truth. There are always information unknown or obscure that muddle the waters. We can't know everything. Listen to his opinion, find the merits, and decide if they have value. I can see they have value. Now, I can decide whether I believe that to be the case.

[@evenodd3339]

Iran (so far away)

[@761AxelDaredevil]

Vaush missed the point in this video. The issue is not just "Let's talk it out" because unfortunately the tactics and times have changed to "you and what army". Russia, China, Iran, etc. don't have to do business with the U.S. or have diplomacy with the West anymore. As a diplomat the line of "talk to your enemies, not your allies" is completely wrong because now alliances are being called into question. I'm sorry if this seems bleak to many but the only reason anyone believed in the liberal model is because the U.S. had the wealth to leverage over the world, but now that time has gone. Also if anyone would become hegemon in the area would be Türkiye, Pew puts him as most popular among Islamic factions.

[@badunladun4203]

dictatorships dont HAVE to do business with the west but their leaders often want to , just look at singapore or rwanda.

[@Argue625]

Can confirm. I live in NY. And we think of ourselves as upstate NY. Versus downstate which is the southern tier and NYC. And downstate runs the whole state.

[@scorpion3128]

Belt and road failed though. None of the countries can pay china back and the beneficiaries of it arent playing nice about it. I do think that concept is better long term though. The best examples of it are Germany, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.

[@somerandommen]

That was the point... they wanted to bring those nations under their control by basically giving them predatory loans. The Belt and Road placing countries in debt to China isn't a bug, it's a feature.

[@firstwavenegativity6379]

The amount of people who just parrot "belt and road" without knowing anything about how much of a failure it was is kinda sad

[@peter6914]

Exactly, I gave up on Vaush at that point because it only highlights just how ignorant and idealistically naive he is with geopolitics, even suggesting that trade with Iran can influence change in its society is the same bullshit Clinton said in regards to China inclusion into the WTO, it had the exact opposite effect.

[@rockmycd1319]

@@firstwavenegativity6379 If the recipient countries can’t pay back their debts I’d say it worked splendidly

[@briano9397]

From the thumbnail, I agree in full, true and real

[@tribuneoftheplebs9948]

The amount of people in chat qho dont understand the baby steps of cultural change is alarming.

[@scorpion3128]

If people want a good idea of what Vaush is saying regarding cities, check out The City We Became by N K Jemisin. Certain cities take on a lifenof their own that grows well beyond their borders and geography.

[@noamilan5950]

One of the first l takes by vaush I heard

[@falconhoof6]

Iran: I AM THE ELDEST BOY

[@TheDarkendstar]

so a few minutes in Iran culturally doesnt make sense as regional Hegemon in truth what should be the natural Hegemon of the region is well.....Egypt and they were until well everything went bad.

[@shiny_teddiursa]

Iran’s historically been the regional hegemon in the middle east and Iranian states have always tried projected power outside the Iranian plateau up until the early modern period, Egypt on the other hand has been ruled by or been apart of a foreign empire/state for over 2,000 years & hasn’t power-projected on a significant level literally since the bronze age, modern Egypt is far more corrupt than Iran & geopolitically has no desire to be the regional hegemon despite its massive population, they were never really the hegemon of the middle east & United Arab Republic with syria was the strongest geopolitically they’ve ever been & that barely lasted long enough to make a dent, the middle east will most likely continue to be a battleground between an anatolian based state (Turkey) & and Iranian based one, like its always been.

[@TheDarkendstar]

@@shiny_teddiursa I don’t think Iran can act as a regional hegemon not only on a different cultural group the Arabs but also over there mostly Sunni populations vaush is right that Saudi Arabia should not be in the position it is to be the hegemon of that area but considering that Egypt is the next best option.

[@zenbear9952]

@@shiny_teddiursa That was back when Iran was way more secular than it is now. Than the US got involved to install a puppet and well now we get Hezbollah and they don't get along with other middle easterners like the old government did

[@shiny_teddiursa]

@@TheDarkendstar a state being a different culture than the surrounding ones doesn’t mean anything, the Arab world was literally ruled by various Turkic dynasties for over a thousand years now

[@TheDarkendstar]

@@shiny_teddiursa Yes ruled DIRECTLY now there are other regional arab powers who will actively resist external influnece Iran has to compete with Turkey the Saudis (the latter with the caveat for now) My point with Egypt things can change and Egypt has the potential to be a far more natural fit for the role if they can pull themselves together.

[@Spacey_key]

Saudi Arabia after failing to take control of Yemen: I have bought all the good stuff, why I still suck at war?

[@Xaphnir]

who the fuck sent the neocons to chat

[@ferdievanschalkwyk1669]

Iran could have been a regional power, but if you remove the Islamic imperial government, it will likely Balkanise. About 50% of Iran's population are minorities. It's a source of cultural strength (multiculturalism), but oppression of those minorities by the Islamists has undermined its ability to be a multicultural regional power.

[@Durandalite]

Vaush is describing Eranshar without knowing what Eranshar is.

[@kneau]

"Šahrestānīhā ī Ērānšahr"

[@LizStaples]

Sasanian Empire I’m not sure you can align that with modern Iran, especially since it ended with the Arab conquest of Iran and Vaush is trying to say Iran is the leader of the Arab hegemon

[@Durandalite]

@LizStaples That's correct and I'm not sure I agree with Vaush here. I just feel this is what he was trying to describe in terms of political and cultural influence, and the west essentially being "An-Eran."

[@LizStaples]

@@Durandalite I definitely don’t agree with Vaush here. I think he is simply confused or uninformed about the Middle East. He needs to go over the Arab Spring era 2009-2011 (Iran put down the 2009 presidential protests with the military just like they did to recent protests about women’s rights). Iran doesn’t influence the rest of the region any more than the Saudis they have similar limited sway. Also Khamenei has been “supreme leader” since 1989 before Vaush was even born, this is no better than a monarch in reality.

[@kenmvilla]

What is Iran's cultural export? Have you not seen "Shahs of Sunset?" Enough said.

[@rockya3928]

Lol using Las Vegas might be a bad example cause there is literally nothing around it 🤣

[@AmericanWeather]

Damn I know it’s not important but I saw the Vegas comparison from 5mins in. It is unfortunate because as someone born and raised there, it really does have a very tangible local culture, however the it will forever be overshadowed by it being a tourist trap

[@majidbineshgar7156]

Very insightful indeed .

[@robertray2714]

Arabcels malding at persian gigachad

[@CJusticeHappen21]

I bet Saudi Arabia has zero insurance policy on their own states survival.

[@chongjunxiang3002]

Vaush assessment on culture on middle east is correct. For a long time, Mecca is just a pilgrimage site. Even since the phophet era, the capital city of caliphate was Medina. Even during expansion, it move various times and none of the has anything to do with Hejaz, such as Baghdad, by the Tigris and Euphrates. So a lot of culture related to Islam nowaday were a lot of time, Islamized pagan items. Star and crescent were pagan symbol of Turks islamized, prayer mat were spread along silk road, and they do dome on mosque because Roman did it.

[@johnzhang5018]

let's not forget what the multi-polar world before ww1 and ww2 resulted in

[@Lambda_Ovine]

This is why Trump was so devastating for American foreign policy. People often ignore how bad he and his administration were for America in the international level. It does not look like it at first, mainly because these stuff moves very slow, but America has been trying for years now to disentangle itself from all the mess it caused on the middle east, leave it stable and with workable relationships with the regional powers. The Iranian deal was legit one of the greatest accomplishments coming from the Obama administration, and Trump fucked it up, messed it all up beyond believe. Trump was a major setback for America and we will see its effects for many decades to come. Hell, you can argue that part of the reason that America is so hesitant right now to do anything beyond soft diplomacy with regards to the Palestinian genoc!de is because of how much whatever little good faith and influence in the general region was there before Trump got broken and if America intervenes now and makes a mistake it could cause a major conflict in the region because nobody there trusts America

[@devin5297]

There’s a reason Persia was a successful empire for thousands of years

[@BlueMountain1992]

bruh.

[@michaelthompson679]

Vaush based vaush based

[@joey_youtube]

​@@michaelthompson679as a Lebanese living under Hezbollah occupation, no. fuck no. not even close on this one.

[@nngnnadas]

"Israel be content within its borders" Israel: What are those?

[@jloiben12]

Iran just wants to get Praying Mantis II. That’s all

[@hobog]

Iran is favoured by its natural geography too

[@AB-zl4nh]

Jesus Christ. One of the biggest L taken.