Bella Ciao in Tehran!
Really, if you look at it carefully, it’s not so complex in Iran. Nor is it in Greenland, or Venezuela.
Not even in Ukraine, after thousands dead on both sides, there is neither war, nor peace. Only a static and silent expanse of a freezing Kiev condemned into darkness, the electricity system destroyed by Russian drones as in last winter, its punishment given to the people of Ukraine.
These people were once part of their body and soul as citizens of Soviet Russia, whose families, together, hand in hand, made such great sacrifices in the war against fascism, and the defeat of Adolf Hitler.
So whatever happened to the glorious Trump Peace Plan to stop the Russia-Ukraine war? Nothing. In the final instance, he seemed to be toeing the line of Putin, while bullying the president of Ukraine — hitherto backed by the West and US.
As in Gaza, where the killings continue. Trump said the West Bank will not be occupied by Israel, come what may. It is, as before, and the armed settlements are aggressively expanding.
It seems, indeed, that Trump’s trumpet is not blowing.
Let’s look at Iran.
Thousands have poured onto the streets against the authoritarian Islamic regime to protest against joblessness, corruption, all-round scarcity, and the abyss of economic doom. Also, they want modernity, freedom for women, and a farewell to the regressive Ayotollahs!
This is a genuine demand of the people of Iran, and this angst and anger has exploded again and again. Besides, they want democracy, justice and freedom, not a puppet regime imposed by the Americans and Israelis, like the Shah of Iran.
Ironically, predictably, Trump and his allies start talking of human rights in Iran. And democracy! Said Trump: “Help is on its way.”
So why is Iran is in such a deep crisis?
They will not tell you. Neither the establishment, nor the Western media.
It is the relentless and endless US sanctions — backed by its Western allies. The sanctions have destroyed the economy in Iran, with terrible social consequences for its people. Ask Cuba, who have so bravely fought against the sanctions since the Cuban revolution.
Remember Mahsa Amini? The young Kurdish woman tortured and murdered by the Morality Police for allegedly wearing the hijab in a wrong manner?
Women of Iran exploded on the streets. Bonfires in public squares. Dancing on traffic junctions. Slogans and boycott in schools and colleges, girls and boys together. Funerals became spaces for collective protests. The hijab was burnt in bonfires. Women cut their hair in public squares.
The Italian protest anthem, Bella Ciao, was sung in Persian, by scores of women, solo, in chorus; the song was celebrated on the streets, inside homes, and in social media. The women of Iran became the inspirational icons for women and girls all over the world.
And what was their slogan, which became global: Woman. Life. Freedom!
Iran and Russia under US and Western sanctions. Did they put sanctions on Israel?
No. You see, there were no human rights violations in Gaza. Nothing happened.
The same media is now doing the rounds with dead bodies in Iran – thousands etc. No fact-check, no sources. Wish they could do the same in Gaza when the genocide was in full swing. How many dead — 80,000; 150,000, 200,000?
Thousands are still buried in the rubble, almost everything in sight has been bombed and ravaged, schools, hospitals, homes, universities, etc, and tens of thousands are living in terrible, sub-human conditions in fluttering tents in this freezing cold.
That’s cool, is it?
So whatever happened to human rights and democracy in Gaza? Will the criminals and mass murderers in the Israeli regime be ever punished?
Sections of the big media, like the government in UK, refused to even accept that it is a genocide in Gaza. So what is it – Bibi’s Western-style democracy, as in UK, Germany, USA?
People are on the streets in Iran seeking relief from severe economic distress, a modern democracy, an end to entrenched corruption, as in all societies — a future of hope for their children. A liberating, enlightened, democratic space their citizens, especially for women and girls. They are not seeking a puppet regime installed by Bibi and Trump – and there are scores of videos proving that.
So why did Trump and Bibi chicken out on Iran?
As American broadcaster Kim Iverson said in her show, and other reports have implied, apart from genuine protesters, there were allegedly others who had penetrated the movement — trained, armed with guns and weapons, satellite technology, bombs. They have been video-recorded and discovered. They were fighting open and secret battles with the regimes forces, and had a sinister agenda, including killing genuine protesters. They were reportedly MOSSAD agents. Finally, they were stopped, exposed, defeated, eliminated, as the Iran government has disclosed without naming anyone.
The unconfirmed story is that the alleged Mossad-American Mission in Tehran, while working as underground catalysts in the movement, tried to use genuine protests as a front, but failed. Usually, this is one of their time-tested templates. Sometimes, they succeed.
Besides, Bibi’s war machine in is fatigue. Despite billions pumped by the US, as by Joe Biden earlier, they don’t seem to have enough arms and ammunitions. Their young soldiers are tired, suffering with multiple post-trauma syndrome, suicides are being reported. Bibi is internationally isolated. Even one of the woman editors of The Economist, the prestigious magazine, in a recent interview, told him in as many words.
And more so, Israel got badly bashed when they last attacked Iran – the invincible Iron Dome could not stop an incessant rain of Iranian missiles, which destroyed many parts Israel. With thousands under siege, people had to live underground for long periods. A society under siege — not good for the mind. That is why, then, Bibi agreed to a quick ceasefire.
Even now, there are reports that since the plot has been lost, and Bibi can’t risk being badgered again, a war with Iran will be self-destructive. More so, unconfirmed reports have informed that China has given air and military cover to Iran, apart from other invisible help.
Besides, the Middle-East might go up in flames. That is why, the American stooges – Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey – all lined up to plead to Trump. No war with Iran please.
More so, Trump has messed up badly in Venezuela. Clearly, he wanted to divert attention from the Epstein files, which will take him down eventually. To grab the oil is his natural instinct. It did not work.
All top oil companies like Exxonmobil have refused to enter Venezuela – they have learnt their lessons in the past when the oil industry was nationalized. Besides, Latin America is not Gaza—the Columbian president declared that he will take up arms if necessary, Cuba has refused to talk to the US, the Mexican president has stood up in steadfast solidarity. Several Cuban soldiers guarding Modura were murdered – they will not forget it easily.
And Trump and his aids must look up the history of Latin America – from the bullet to the ballet; from Che to Chavez. If Trump and oil companies enter Venezuela, armed guerilla armies just might sprout in every nook and corner of this continent – like old times.
That is why, Venezuela is now on pause.
And Greenland?
Danish and Greenland ministers refused to succumb to the Americans. In their meeting at the White House with JD Vance, they said categorically, we don’t agree with you.
Now armed forces from across Europe have arrived in Greenland, as a symbolic gesture. For once, these American allies have shown some spine. NATO thereby is in a flux.
So Greenland is easy real estate deal – buy one, get three free. Hence, the pause button might come into play again.
Ukraine, Venezuela, Iran, Gaza. All the projects have failed. There is no ceasefire in Gaza. The Trump Reviera will perhaps be built in a futuristic science-fiction dream sequence.
As of now, it’s all Topsy-Turvy, and nothing seems Hunky Dory. Paramilitary, masked, armed, nasty — unleashed by the US administration, is not melting; and the protesting masses are not relenting. F… T…. — they are singing and dancing on a new protest anthem at Times Square, New York, and in other cities. The anthem has gone viral.
As of now, indeed, it’s Bella Ciao in Tehran! As beautiful and inspiring as ever.
