Now leadership is the key to their selfless and brave acts forming a human tsunami in achieving their political and social wishes — democracy and freedom. The clerics are afraid and fighting among themselves. They are increasing their threatening and dangerous behavior against neighbors and world powers hoping someone will bite so they could repeat the Iran-Iraq war strategy of the 1980's which cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of Iranians and facilitated the foundation of the backwards mullahcracy.
Iranians are not going to fall for the regime's trap again. But without proper leadership and organization, the people will continue to suffer and pay a dear price for their revolt. Their sacrifices may be fruitless as the regime is vigorously pursuing nuclear power. A successful leadership requires proper funding, dedicated nationalists with democratic know-how, international recognition, and strong ties with internal opposition forces.
It is not necessary for leadership to determine the style of the new government or scope of changes at this time. Rather, the leadership should be a healthy, pro-Iranian transition group capable of taking the reigns from the incompetent clerics so that Iranians have a chance to secure their nation, stop potential civil disruptions, and impose law and order while reorganizing the Constitution and political makeup without duress and further bloodshed. The transitional leadership has to neutralize the armed forces, counteract separationists, defuse agitated foreign relations, and protect national interests.
The transitional leadership may be a collage consisting of different opposition group members with diverse backgrounds sharing one mutual goal — freeing Iran from the clerics and stabilizing the nation to once again fit in with the international community. Iranian people inside the country have risen as body shields against their enemy for the freedom of their country. The world population has shown its unity with the Iranian people. Many leaders of the free world have taken a stand for the people. It is now the duty of Iranians abroad with financial power and political freedom to unite, put aside unproductive debates, and provide the funds needed to form a transitional leadership from experienced opposition groups.
The time has come for the Iranian majority in exile to put aside their silence and play an active role in Iran's future. The U.S. policymakers will have no choice but to recognize the need to support the people as the political and social force on the scene, not the clerics and their thugs in Tehran. The legacy of this generation is in the making and can be forever intertwined with Iran's liberty. Ancient Iranians believed no particular savior redeems the world, but rather all righteous men and women (Saoshyants), who work together in bringing truth, justice, and order to the world.
Sheda Vasseghi is a member of the Board of Azadegan Foundation. She is a regular contributor on Iran's affairs.
