
<p>“Regime Change” is an unacceptable policy these days. So much so that we have to deny we are seeking it even when we are pursuing it. There is a widely held belief that regime change is something America is not good at.</p>



<p>In fact, America is very good at regime change when we ignore the whiners on the left and do it right. We made a very impressive series of regime changes after World War II. We did it in Germany, Italy, Japan and other Axis countries. We did it with minimal military involvement in Panama, Grenada and Venezuela. We did it through behind the scenes diplomacy in the Philippines. We used the regime change in Syria to our advantage through diplomacy.</p>



<p>We were only partially successful in Iraq and Libya – and that is because we did not do it right. Success depends on the follow-up. And the test is whether we wind up with a democratic nation allied to the United States &#8212; or even an undemocratic regime friendlier to America.</p>



<p>In Iraq, we carried out a very impressive and quick regime change. But &#8230;we failed to stay on the ground to oversee the creation of the new government. In the most successful regime changes, American presence was maintained until the new friendlier government was in place.</p>



<p>Iraq is the perfect example where we took out a disruptive and dangerous dictator. We did not, however, stay around to oversee what followed. Consequently, it turned into civil chaos and a less friendly government than we could have had. But even in that case – and despite the popular perception &#8212; the outcome of regime change in Iraq was positive. I think anyone who does the homework would agree that the post-Saddam Hussein Iraq has been better for America and the world than when he was in power.</p>



<p>Now we have Iran. All the debate as to whether the United States should force a regime change in Iran is ridiculous. Whether it was America’s stated goal or not, it was obviously a goal. We know that because we participated in a regime change when the plan was to kill off the top leadership. What could be a more fundamental regime change than knocking off the dictator and dozens of other top officials? We are still doing it. The IRGC recently named a new commander. He was dead within 24 hours.</p>



<p>(I do believe – and have stated so before the attack on Iran – that regime change in Iran was an American/Israeli (unstated) plan from the get-go. Since most of the old regime has now been sent to the great perhaps, I guess I was right. But I digress.)</p>



<p>We have already accomplished regime change in Iran. The issue now is what takes place. The new regime could be largely formed by people associated <strong>with the policies</strong> of the old regime. That is a bad and unacceptable outcome. It also means that regime change is still on the table.</p>



<p>Trump has already said that the new regime supposedly headed by Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the former Supreme Leader, is unacceptable. Trump is not proposing to pick the new leaders, but only that he reserves a veto power if they are not acceptable to the United States, Israel &#8212; and the people of Iran.</p>



<p>We have seen a variation of that in Venezuela – with a critical difference. Even though many of the subordinate folks are still temporarily in power, they are not following the Maduro policies. They have yielded to Trump’s wishes. We can deal with them until the future of Venezuela is determined by free and fair elections.</p>



<p>What concerns me is all the talk about ending the war and leaving it up to the people to form the new government. While that sounds noble, it is how regime change flounders. History has shown us that successful regime change requires a post war presence to make sure the bad guys do not re-emerge.</p>



<p>We are in the process of regime change in Iran – whether we say so or not. Let us make sure we do it right. At the moment, however, America’s job is to make sure the remnants of the old regime and their antisemitic terrorist policies are eliminated.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

It’s Regime Change … Just Don’t Say It Out Loud
