Iran is not the Problem

Attention to all people who are engaged in resisting the US’ drive to war with Iran: there is an excellent film that has recently been released, titled “IRAN (Is Not The Problem)”. I have watched it twice, and am deeply impressed with how much crucial historical context it provides in an engaging and accessible manner, combining archival footage with incisive analysis from interviews by US-based activists and scholars. Different perspectives are presented, and yet all are united in coming from a committed anti-war stance.

Here's the trailer: 

This film includes themes and topics such as how democratic reforms in Iran have been undermined by the US, enlightening clarifications on the structure of the Iranian government, the factors that lead to hardliners in both countries to get support, the formula for war, connections to Iraq and to Israel, double standards on nuclear energy and the IAEA report, and critical history such as the overthrow of Mossadegh in 1953, the rule of the Shah, the Iran/Iraq War and the US’ role in it, illuminating views of the hostage crisis, the students’ demands, and legacies of the 1979 Revolution. And then some. Producer Aaron Newman has provided a tremendous service by offering this film as a documentary response to the failure of the US mass media to educate the US public about the reasons for the current hostile standoff.

If you are interested in organizing screenings, (which is the hope of the people who made this film) it is now available for purchase. In addition, on the highly informative website www.iranisnottheproblem.org you can also view “part 2” which presents activists’ thoughts on what kinds of actions could be effective at this point in time. I consider “IRAN (Is Not The Problem)” to be an invaluable tool for raising our collective consciousness around the deeper reasons driving military aggression, for combating our lethal national amnesia in relation to Iran, for inspiring discussion, reflection and action, and for empowering citizens to better understand the present in light of the past. If, as the title suggests, Iran is not the problem, then what is? Check it out, share it with others, and see what you think!