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Tasnim: Some analysts say that the US withdrawal would be a victory for Iran. What is your assessment of the Islamic Republic's role in developments which led Trump to take such a decision?
Taliano: Iran has played an important role in the war against international terrorism. Iran's role in Syria is legal, and effective. The Axis of Resistance is effectively wiping out terrorism in Syria - terrorism supported by the West - and for this we should all be grateful. So, if wiping out terrorists is a victory for Iran, then so be it. It is a well-earned victory. Most North Americans would applaud Iran's role in Syria if they could only disabuse themselves of the war propaganda that assaults and victimizes them twenty- four hours a day. Iran does not have an empire, nor does it seek an empire. It does not commit wars of aggression against other countries, and it respects international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other nations, including its own. Already the West is waging criminal economic war against Iran, and anyone who is paying attention knows that Iran is the West's next target, so Iran has all the more incentive to fight terrorism. Western-supported terrorism is a direct threat to the Middle East and Iran must defend its national security.
Did the on-going military success against Western-supported terrorism affect Trump's decision? I would think so. It means the world is shifting towards a multi-polar orientation, and Trump may be aware of this. Maybe he is "cutting his losses" and seeking a "win-win" outcome which will benefit both the US and its fabricated "enemies". This would be a positive outcome.
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This article was originally published on Tasnim News Agency.
Mark Taliano is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG) and the author of Voices from Syria, Global Research Publishers, 2017.
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