November 4 marked the . Embassy Hostage Takers Now Hold Top Positions in Government
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) : Regime’s senior official admits to the leading role of in nationwide protests pic.twitter.com/DyoOL0JX2U
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 5, 2018
Dr. Sheehan also spoke of the failed policy of appeasement and prisoners swaps with Iran’s regime. “These tactics were used, for instance, in 2016 around the time that the Iran nuclear deal was implemented. Four Americans were released in January of that year, but only in exchange for the U.S. settling an old debt to the previous Iranian government, as well as releasing or dropping charges against 21 Iranian nationals” he continued, “this only served to reinforce the impression that hostage-taking is a potentially lucrative endeavor. It is, therefore, no surprise that all four of the American hostages were promptly replaced by others.”
“The only way this phenomenon’s recurrence can be prevented over the long term is if Tehran’s behavior – or the regime itself – changes completely,” Dr. Sheehan added.
“Domestic unrest demonstrates that there is no need for Western powers to actively pursue regime change. But they most definitely should promote an alternative vision for Iran’s future,” Dr. Sheehan concluded.
Dr. Ivan Sascha Sheehan is the director of the graduate programs in Negotiation and Conflict Management and Global Affairs and Human Security in the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Baltimore. He specializes in the intersection of global terrorism, counterterrorism, and international conflict management.
