To the Westerner who has an opinion that differs from mine:

Thank you for your honesty. I truly respect your willingness to speak openly, and I hope you continue to do so. You’re clearly acting from conviction, not convenience.

I can’t fully agree that Iran’s attacks on the Gulf countries are primarily a reaction to the U.S. and Israel, just as I can’t fully agree that Israel’s attack on Gaza was primarily a reaction to Hamas. Both regimes have shown ambition and aggression, internally and externally, on their own terms for decades. Both are driven by a somber theology.

What worries me most is that we’re trapped in a hall of mirrors, endlessly blaming one another, often in the name of defending Palestinians. I don’t know how to break the cycle, but I deeply respect that you’re willing to talk rather than just shout.

Can I tell you something? People rarely speak this honestly about difficult things. I genuinely respect that. Thank you for talking to me like a human being. That alone is rare.

I think we disagree on how much of Iran’s behavior is reactive versus ideological. To me, the attacks on neighbors, whether through proxies or directly, aren’t just retaliation. They are also rooted in that same somber theology.

Here’s where I stand: I don’t trust the Iranian regime. But I also don’t trust Israeli governments. And I’m tired of ordinary people, and years of development and progress, being sacrificed for the pride of leaders on all sides.

On Western World: I also can’t dismiss what you’re seeing. There is a loss of strategic clarity. I’m not sure whose benefit your leaders are seeking. I’m not sure who is calling out the self-harming decisions. You’re not wrong to point out the sclerosis. I take your point seriously, especially coming from someone watching from the inside.

As an observer from outside the Western bubble, I would offer this: examine the current theology and reconsider it, the theology that has recently placed itself above international law and order. Europe still has more resilience than it shows, but it needs to demonstrate greater self-confidence and embrace a theology of humility and partnership.

International law is a beautiful common ground. If it isn’t just about some strange and somber theology, why would anyone abandon it?!