Middle East Totalitarian Axis

Iran Freedom Support Act (H. R. 6198) has been adopted by Congress. This is definitely an important step in the right course towards the new Middle East. It becomes clearer day by day that the fate of the Middle East will be determined by the outcomes of the war between Middle East totalitarians led by Iran and democratic forces backed or represented by determined democratic international powers led by the US.

To be accurate, I stress on the term 'totalitarian' because the general authoritarian Arab states are weaker than taking this war. Hence, what matters now is the totalitarian axis. This totalitarian axis, the terror umbrella, as already became obvious and in public consists of the Iranian regime as leader and the remnants of al-Ba'ath party (or the 'last Ba'ath' as I would love to call) besides Hezbullah and Hamas as proxies and hit men.

There will be no salvation, peace, stability and of course freedom and democracy in the Middle East without targeting this axis and fighting totalitarianism. The most fearful weapon is freedom; it terrifies and extremely weakens them.

The prescription is not too complicated and it is realistic too. Support Iran freedom and democracy; cut Iran's hands in the region; stay the course on Middle East democracy; and always keep those totalitarians internationally under siege. Do not ever forget that we, the indigenous liberals and intellectuals, are kept as hostages to our totalitarian thugs' brutality and international inactivity.

Lebanon is extremely important. The international community must finish the job there decisively and without delay. Defeat is unaffordable to the democratic world and to the Middle East.

Some related posts:

- The Neo-Internationalism After 9/11 and Middle East Democratization

- Totalitarianism, Violence and Terror

- Lebanon's Liberation and Independence

- Middle East Totalitarians and Existential Choice

- About Iran Regime

- War on Iran Under Way

- Iran's Waning Human Rights

- The International 'New Deal' of the Middle East

- U.S. Middle East Strategy

- U.S. Security and Middle East Democracy

- Protecting Arab liberals


Here are sections 301 and 302 of Iran Freedom Support Act (H. R. 6198):

SEC. 301. DECLARATION OF POLICY.

(a) In General- Congress declares that it should be the policy of the United States--

(1) to support efforts by the people of Iran to exercise self-determination over the form of government of their country; and
(2) to support independent human rights and peaceful pro-democracy forces in Iran.

(b) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorizing the use of force against Iran.

SEC. 302. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY IN IRAN.

(a) Authorization-

(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President is authorized to provide financial and political assistance (including the award of grants) to foreign and domestic individuals, organizations, and entities in Iran or the United States working for the purpose of supporting and promoting democracy in Iran. Such assistance may include the award of grants to eligible independent pro-democracy radio and television broadcasting organizations that broadcast into Iran.
(2) LIMITATION ON ASSISTANCE- In accordance with the rule of construction described in subsection (b) of section 401, none of the funds authorized under this section shall be used to support the use of force against Iran.

(b) Eligibility for Assistance- Financial and political assistance under this section should be provided only to an individual, organization, or entity that--

(1) officially opposes the use of violence and terrorism and has not been designated as a foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189) at any time during the preceding four years;
(2) advocates the adherence by Iran to nonproliferation regimes for nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and materiel;
(3) is dedicated to democratic values and supports the adoption of a democratic form of government in Iran;
(4) is dedicated to respect for human rights, including the fundamental equality of women;
(5) works to establish equality of opportunity for people; and
(6) supports freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom of religion.

(c) Funding- The President may provide assistance under this section using--

(1) funds available to the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative, and the Human Rights and Democracy Fund; and
(2) amounts made available pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (g).

(d) Notification- Not later than 15 days before each obligation of assistance under this section, and in accordance with the procedures under section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2394-l), the President shall notify the Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

(e) Sense of Congress Regarding Diplomatic Assistance- It is the sense of Congress that--

(1) support for a transition to democracy in Iran should be expressed by United States representatives and officials in all appropriate international fora;
(2) officials and representatives of the United States should--
(A) strongly and unequivocally support indigenous efforts in Iran calling for free, transparent, and democratic elections; and
(B) draw international attention to violations by the Government of Iran of human rights, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press.

(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

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Nassim Yaziji's Neo-Internationalism

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