I’m glad Graeme Wood wrote this article, but it lacks one thing—recognition and acknowledgement that Xiyue Wang is correct in his assessment of Iran.  Maybe Wood’s insinuates that, but it needs to be stated clearly.  Either Wang is correct, or the Supreme Leader is correct.  It is okay to take sides in international relations, as the question of how to treat people is of paramount importance for a government.  See “The Princeton Historian Mugged by Reality,” Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, March 17, 2021.

“Iran blames air defense operator’s error for downing of Ukraine jet in final report,” Justine Coleman, The Hill, March 17, 2021.

“Iran convicts 5 newspaper and news agency employees on false news charges,” Committee to Protect Journalists, March 17, 2021.

“Israel Concerned as Iran Provides Its Mideast Proxies With Better Weapons,” Amos Harel, Haaertz, March 17, 2021.

“What It Will Take to Break the U.S.-Iran Impasse: A Q&A With Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif,” Negar Mortazavi, Politico, March 17, 2021.

An impressive story in its description.  The weakness of  Esmail Qaani, who succeeded Soleimani as leader of the Quds Force, is seen in the situation where now multiple Iranian agencies oversee the Shia, etc. groups in Iraq.  While creating chaos is part of Iran’s success in the Middle East, part of the indecision about policy/where to compete is laid at the feet of the Leader.   “Four Iranian intelligence agencies are giving contradictory commands to Tehran’s Iraqi proxies,” Suadad al-Salhy, Middle East Eye, March 17, 2021.

“Iran has built new ballistic missile launch positions, satellite images show,” Yonat Friling and Trey Yingst, Fox, March 17, 2021.

“Israel Concerned as Iran Provides Its Mideast Proxies With Better Weapons,” Amos Harel, Haaertz, March 17, 2021.