By: Shana Forta, VP of Operation

Everyone has their own favorite part of the Superbowl. Some people eagerly await the Game, the commercials, or the half time show. Halftime at the Superbowl is generally borderline family friendly fare for the millions of fans watching during their yearly ritual of watching the Super Bowl with family and friends. Admittedly in years past there have been ‘wardrobe malfunctions’ involving Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. However, as bad it was, we were not mired in the investigations into sexual abuse by actor Bill Cosby, Hollywood director Harvey Weinstein, and Jeffrey Epstein.

Perturbed that Beyoncé and Jay Z did not stand for the National Anthem, my expectations for the half time show were quickly dashed when I realized that the NFL had failed miserably, allowing cheap sexual messages of bare skin and provocative dancing to take over the screen. What seemed missing to me was the loud and echoing message from the global #Me too movement, the one that highlights the rampant sexual abuse that is de rigueur and seemingly so prevalent in the entertainment business. Surely, TV executives haven’t lived with their heads in the sand during the past year and know just how important messaging is to the youth of this country? It seems like they are saying to do as I say, but not as I do.

We live in the most tolerant and women friendly country in the world. Yet it appears that the openly tolerant are actually intolerant and that sexual innuendo and female objectification is alive and well and helps to sell time for ads. In fact what transpired last night highlights how out of touch the organizers of the Superbowl must be to allow this raunchy and provocative show to go ahead: Jennifer Lopez making her entrance sashaying and cavorting off a stripper pole; she goes on to tear off her skirt to showcase her ripped abs and toned legs. She is 50. I get it. Show some modesty and self – respect Jennifer.

You would be forgiven for thinking this was strictly Adult entertainment.

In the age of the #MeToo movement, it seems incredibly hypocritical to tell our young and impressionable youth, that it’s okay to act provocatively on screen in front of millions of people, to wear skimpy clothing that seem to get more skimpy as the song is progressing, but yet don’t behave like we do, because doing so may just get you into trouble. Either we objectify women, or we don’t. We can’t have our cake and eat it. Seems like a tremendously mixed message, and one that we as the adults in this country, are sending to our youth. Enough is enough.

By: Ehud Elam, Senior Fellow

The Iranian regime is at a low point. This evil empire of the Middle East is in trouble due to several reasons, both political and economic.

Those who seek to topple the Iranian regime should seize the opportunity to tighten the net around Iran. It is in the interest of the United States and its allies, including those in the Middle East such as Israel and the Arab states. Getting rid of the Iranian regime will serve the Iranian people, as well. The anti-Iranian coalition has to initiate and increase steps against the Iranian regime.

In recent weeks there has been unrest in both Lebanon and Iraq.

Some of the protesters are supposed to be on Iran’s side since they are Shiites. (Iran is mostly Shiite, unlike most of the Arab states.) The protesters demand improvements to their quality of life by adding jobs and fixing public services. They also oppose Iran’s intervention in their country. They go against their own governments, which in both Lebanon and Iraq are heavily influenced by Iran and its allies. The demonstrations, therefore, are another part of the struggle against Iran. The anti-Iranian coalition needs to be cautious here in order not to allow Iran and its partners to argue that the unrest is planned by other states.

Nevertheless, those who just want a better life and wish to reduce Iran’s grip on their country should receive aid.

There were protests in Iran itself in recent years. The Iranian regime had managed to survive the recent wave of protests that occurred in November. More than 300 Iranian civilians were killed by the Iranian regime during the crackdown.

It shows how desperate the Iranian regime has become. The next wave of demonstrations against it might be stronger than the last one. The anti-Iranian coalition has to support the protesters, yet be careful not to give an excuse to the Iranian regime to present demonstrations against it as a Western plot.

The Iranian regime has not done enough to provide basic needs to its people. The 1979 revolution promised a lot for the Iranian people but failed to deliver. In spite of Iran’s potential and its vast oil fields, many of the people there are struggling to make ends meet. This is because the regime is corrupt and ineffective.

Furthermore, the regime prefers to pour its money into adventures in the Middle East.

Iran is involved in several wars in the region, supporting its allies in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon. The cost to Iran has been more than $20 billion in Syria alone. Iran sees that as necessary for its national security but so far this approach certainly has not paid off for the Iranian people.

This policy is executed at the expense of raising the living standards of the Iranian people. Iran’s strategy also brought heavy sanctions against it that crippled its economy and caused more suffering to its people. It is causing enormous resentment against the Iranian regime. Iran is digging its own grave.

The Iranian regime has high ambitions: to be the superpower of the Middle East.

Therefore, Iran gives its protégés not just money but also weapons and advisers. Sometimes, Iran even sends its own troops to fight in places like Syria. All that effort demonstrates how eager Iran is to expand — regardless of the cost for many in the region, including many Iranians. The anti-Iranian coalition has to be strong and united so it can block and contain Iran. It will weaken Iran and buy time until the regime there collapses.

Iran is striving to build nuclear weapons. This project has been going on for several decades now and it is very expensive, another example for Iran’s willingness to ignore the needs of its people in favor of other goals.

Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons in order to have enough military strength to do whatever it wants. Iran has breached the 2015 nuclear agreement that is supposed to limit its nuclear capabilities. If the country actually tries to produce the bomb, it must be stopped by the anti-Iranian coalition. All the options have to be on the table, including the military one.

The Iranian regime is doomed to fail; it is only a matter of time considering the country’s foreign and domestic policy. The huge cost of corruption, poor management of domestic affairs and eagerness to take over the Middle East will eventually bring it down. Meanwhile, the economic pressure on Iran is growing. The anti-Iranian coalition must continue.

This article was originally published as an Op-Ed in The Western Journal on 20 December 2019.