System Update with Glenn Greenwald The U.S. Does Not Want "Liberation" For Iran
Jan 12, 2026
U.S. reactions to Iranian protests reveal deeper foreign policy motives. Trump’s threats of military action clash with claims of humanitarian intent. Genuine protests are often overshadowed by external influences, especially from Israeli agencies. Historical context shows U.S. interventions typically serve strategic interests, not democracy. The inconsistency in U.S. support for authoritarian regimes is highlighted, alongside the dangers of intervention leading to chaos. Ultimately, the narrative of liberation is critiqued as a cover for political expediency.
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U.S. Interventions Are Interest-Driven
- The U.S. does not primarily wage wars to bring freedom and democracy to other countries.
- Glenn Greenwald argues U.S. interventions aim to install regimes that serve American interests, not liberate populations.
Trump Strategy Embraces 'Flexible Realism'
- Trump's 2025 National Security Strategy explicitly abandons pressuring allied autocracies to democratize.
- Greenwald highlights the document's 'flexible realism' which accepts repressive governments if they serve U.S. interests.
Allies' Repression Reveals Policy Priorities
- U.S. policy routinely supports brutal dictators when they align with American and Israeli interests.
- Greenwald cites long-standing U.S. backing of repressive allies like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Shah's Iran as evidence.