Jed Babbin in *The Washington Times*: Trump and the CIA Must Support the Ahwazi Cause

Jed Babbin, a columnist on national security and foreign affairs for *The Washington Times* and a contributing editor for *The American Spectator*, published an article urging U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to direct the CIA to assist in overthrowing Iran’s terrorist regime. Babbin argued that this could be achieved by supporting non-Persian populations within the geographical boundaries of what is known as Iran, particularly the Ahwazis, Baloch, Kurds, and Azerbaijanis.

Kaabi’s Vision and the Role of Non-Persian Peoples in Toppling the Regime

In his analysis, Babbin referenced meetings involving Dr. Aref al-Kaabi, head of the Executive Committee of the Ahwazi State, and Hir Beyar Mari, a prominent Baloch nationalist leader, with Yigal Carmon, founder of the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI). In a video segment, Babbin described Kaabi and Mari as influential leaders of major non-Persian peoples with a significant impact on the region’s dynamics.

MEMRI, based in Washington, D.C., had previously shared a video titled “I Have a Dream,” featuring Kaabi. In it, Kaabi spoke about his and the Ahwazi people’s dream of independence, the restoration of their state, and the end of decades of Iranian occupation.

Babbin emphasized that if the Trump administration supported the Ahwazis, Baloch, Kurds, and Azerbaijanis by providing them with weapons, intelligence, and funding, they could overthrow the regime in Tehran. However, as noted by Carmon in the video, the West has so far done nothing to help these groups.

The American columnist further analyzed the future of Iran’s regime under a potential second Trump term. He highlighted that Persians constitute less than half of Iran’s population, while non-Persian groups, including the Ahwazis, Baloch, Kurds, and Azerbaijanis, make up the majority. Babbin called on Trump and the CIA to support these non-Persian groups against Iran’s terrorist regime.

According to Babbin, what Trump needs is to sign a highly classified executive order directing the CIA to provide the Ahwazis, Baloch, Kurds, and Azerbaijanis with the necessary assistance to topple the Iranian regime. Babbin argued that Trump has the ability to ignite a revolution against the regime and should act swiftly.

He added that, as Carmon noted, the Iranian regime poses a threat not only to Israel but to the entire West. Trump understands this reality and must provide oppressed peoples within Iran with the support they need.

Attempts to Assassinate Trump
Babbin also revisited attempts to assassinate Trump. In August and again in early November, the U.S. Department of Justice charged an Iranian agent, alleging that the Iranian regime had been plotting to assassinate Trump. Despite Iranian denials, Babbin viewed these incidents as part of a broader context reflecting U.S.-Iran relations.

He argued that Trump’s re-election represents a genuine threat to the Iranian regime. Trump is expected to continue policies such as the January 2020 assassination of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, and imposing economic sanctions under the “maximum pressure” strategy, which had severely impacted Iran’s economy.

Babbin suggested that the return of the “maximum pressure” strategy would further weaken the regime domestically. The challenges facing Iran would increase as Arab-Israeli alliances, such as the Abraham Accords, strengthen, fostering closer ties between Arab nations and Israel.

Babbin noted Trump’s nominations of former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA and former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. While Gabbard lacks intelligence experience, Babbin suggested she could succeed if she deferred major decisions to Ratcliffe.

The article concluded with Babbin urging Trump to direct the CIA to assist in overthrowing Iran’s regime by supporting non-Persian populations. Babbin emphasized that these groups constitute more than half of Iran’s population and, if armed, funded, and equipped with intelligence, could play a pivotal role in dismantling the regime. He stressed that the non-Persian peoples represent the largest resistance element against the Iranian government, with Persians making up less than half of the country’s population.