Quincy Institute: From “Regime Change” to “Iran’s Disintegration”; A Dangerous Fantasy

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: According to the think tank, Washington’s foreign policy dangerously seeks to disintegrate countries it considers its enemies. In Europe, since the EU’s parliament severed ties with official Iranian institutions in 2022, the political landscape has become a playground for radical opposition groups such as monarchists, the Mujahedin-e-Khalq sect, and ethnic separatists.

However, Quincy notes that, contrary to what the West imagines, Iran is a diverse but united country. Focusing on ethnic differences and ignoring Iran’s deep nationalism has been a recurring miscalculation in the West.

The report notes: “Decades of sanctions, covert operations, and even war have increased Iran’s solidarity and resilience, rather than its collapse. The idea that Iran will fall apart by stirring up separatist sentiments or that cities like Tabriz will rebel against the central government stems from a profound ignorance of the realities of Iranian society.”

The Quincy Institute concludes by recommending that the West choose a path of engagement with Iran rather than continuing these fanciful approaches.

 

What emerges from the report is that policies based on pressure, provocation, and disruption of Iran’s internal cohesion have not only failed, but have had the opposite effect. The spirit of nationalism and the deep cultural and historical ties of Iranians, even among ethnic minorities, have repeatedly been revealed in the face of external threats. It seems that the continuation of such strategies, rather than achieving the West's goals, will strengthen the very force they are trying to weaken: the unity and resistance of the Iranian people. Hence, a review of policies and a move towards engagement and understanding of Iran's social realities could be a more realistic and less costly strategy for the Western parties.