Thomas Friedman has argued on Smerconish and in his columns that the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran represents one of the most dangerous moments in modern Middle East history. He warns that Iran’s regime is driven by ideology, requiring a strategic, non-superficial response from Israel and the U.S. that avoids a "forever war".
"From Beirut to Jerusalem" (1989) by Thomas Friedman is widely regarded as a classic, Pulitzer Prize-winning, and insightful, yet pessimistic, account of the Middle East conflict, based on his 10 years as a New York Times reporter. The book is praised for its accessible blend of personal anecdote, history, and analysis, though some critics consider it deeply cynical and, in some cases, Orientalist." In essence, describing Friedman as an orientalist implies his analysis is not an objective assessment of the region, but rather a "style of thought" that imposes a Western perspective that diminishes the agency and humanity of the people being described.
Following his graduation from Brandeis, (Brandeis University is located at 415 South Street in Waltham, Massachusetts, 02453. Situated on a 235-acre campus in the suburbs of Boston, it is a private research university founded in 1948). In 1948, the year it opened, Brandeis University focused on establishing a foundation for top-tier research, primarily in the humanities and social sciences, while establishing a "pioneering research enterprise" to combat discrimination in higher education. The research environment was shaped by European scholars fleeing war, leading to a cosmopolitan, intellectual, and social justice-oriented academic culture.
Friedman attended St. Antony’s College, Oxford University, on a Marshall Scholarship. In 1978, he received an M.Phil. degree in modern Middle East studies from Oxford. That summer he joined the London Bureau of United Press International (UPI) on Fleet Street, where he worked as a general assignment reporter.
All this education came about in England where anti-Semitism is high. Since then, he's been against Israel as far as I can see reading and hearing about his opinion from Smerconish's TV program.
To universities today recommended for Israeli studies are:
- University of Haifa: Offers specialized International Israel Studies and Master's programs in Jewish thought and history, located in a diverse, immersive setting.
- Yale University: Provides comprehensive undergraduate majors and doctoral studies in Jewish history, culture, and literature.
- Columbia University: The Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies covers modern Judaism, ancient studies, and modern Israel.
- What has been going on in these universities is plain anti-Semitism.
Before iran's first revolution 46 years ago when people were more like Americans.
I lived in Israel from June 1980 to the end of November1985 and lived in Haifa and then moved to Safed to teach. Our history had captured my interest when 15 and I've spent lots of time educating myself, starting with UR with Abraham doing deep studies. For once, Israel was not hit while I was there because Iran and Iraq were busy shooting at each other. My classmates and I were not affected.
Trying to rebel and bring down the Ayatollah's regime
Friedman also hasn't kept up with what has been going on in Iran at this time. There has been a revolution against the Ayatollah regime. There is reason for the citizens who are not part of the Revolutionary Guard to have been rebelling in the streets without arms, mind you. The Revolutionary Guard was turned onto them with guns, mowing down at least 35,,000 for starters, now with the number unbelievable.
Iran has been supplying their henchmen terrorists, Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, others, with weapons to use against Israel. Iran has come out in the open declaring their goal in life is to wipe out Israel.
Before this regime caused to Shah to run for his life, the Shah and Israel were friends. The Ayatollahs brought in an Islam foreign to the majority of Iranians that was bent on killing Jews. Iran then fought a war with Iraq.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, fled Iran on January 16, 1979. He departed from Tehran with his family, officially for a "vacation," amid escalating political unrest, massive protests, and the growing momentum of the Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini.
Iraq invaded Iran on September 22, 1980, driven by Saddam Hussein’s desire to exploit Iran's post-revolutionary instability, seize control of the oil-rich Khuzestan province, and secure the vital Shatt al-Arab waterway. Hussein aimed to prevent the spread of Iran's Islamic Revolution to Iraq and establish Iraq as the dominant power in the Persian Gulf.
"The Iran-Iraq War lasted almost eight years, starting with the Iraqi invasion of Iran on September 22, 1980, and ending with a UN-brokered ceasefire that became effective on August 20, 1988. The long, deadly conflict was a stalemate, resulting in an estimated 500,000 to over one million deaths." So, since 1980, Iranians have been under war-conditions, and both sides fought till only teens were left as soldiers. They about wiped out their male population! They haven't had any freedom for the past 46 years since the 1980 war.
An Iranian, Toussi, has been on the web on youtube from England who has his father stuck in Iran. Toussi has been showing what it's like there with the Rebellion. Tousi was born in 1973, in Portland, Oregon and raised in Tehran, Iran. He emigrated to the United States as a teenager in 1986. Mahyad Tousi (born 1973) is an Iranian–American filmmaker, scriptwriter, producer and director. He has created/co-created, directed and produced several films and documentaries including Looking For Palladin (2008), Of Kings and Prophets (2016) and United States of Al (2021–22). He's my hero for not giving up on the Iranians and continue to filming and presenting their case.
In 2007, along with Reza Aslan, he co-founded BoomGen Studios, an entertainment based company helping contents related to the Middle East.[2] In 2020, he founded Starfish, an accelerator program industry
Ayatollah turned off internet. The country hasn't had water or food because of the lack of water. Water trucks have been going around like vegetable wagons in Portland did in the 40s in Portland doling out some water. People already lost jobs. They have nothing to live for; this the rebellion. Finally, CNN had a program telling about the Prince helping the Iranian people---for regime change!!!Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last Shah, has advocated for regime change and a democratic transition from exile since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Based in the U.S., he has served as a prominent opposition figure, actively encouraging popular uprisings, urging international support, and aiming to lead a democratic transition to a secular Iran. No one was picking this information up and most were not trusting what they saw briefly without it coming from a well-known website. Thank you CNN. I cried when I saw this finally happened.
2025: In an unprecedented turn of events, the Iranian regime has been rocked by internal rebellion and external military strikes, leading to an unexpected and dramatic collapse. The once unshakable power structure that has ruled Iran for over 47 years is now crumbling, with the people rising against their oppressors and the regime's foreign allies retreating.
Has Friedman shown this bit of knowledge? If I can know about it, what hasn't Friedman? He and Trump just think they can pick another living Ayatollah and all is fine !!!
For some time now Israel has been helping the people. I've been writing about it.
" Israel has engaged in activities to weaken the Iranian regime, often described as supporting opposition or destabilizing efforts, for decades, with significant proxy conflict dynamics dating back to at least 1985. Support intensified in the 2020s, with reports" detailing Mossad and CIA support for Iranian Kurdish militia groups and direct attacks on military targets to aid potential rebellions. I don't even think Toussi knew about this.
Resource:
Edit: 4/4/26 at 5;50pm
Tousi
Smerconish TV Program
Thomas Friedman
https://jewishbubba.blogspot.com/2025/06/thomas-friedman-newspaper-reporter.html
