The Iran War, now in its second month, has given people around the world a fresh opportunity to evaluate their nation’s leadership. Regardless of your political viewpoint or priors about developments in the Middle East, there are certain facts that rational observers can agree upon. Using these facts and connecting a government’s actions to how it has operated over recent weeks reveals much about that nation’s priorities, values, and beliefs. The analytics that generate results reflected in the categories of good, bad, ugly, and Prime Minister Mark Carney will indisputably create disagreement. Be patient with the writer; at the very least, you can rearrange the headings to better mirror your own conclusions.
THE GOOD
The United States and Israel have taken steps to end the terrorist government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This regime has terrorized various parts of the world for almost half a century. The rich history of the Persian nation, marked by remarkable achievements and notable individuals, has been overshadowed by the strict, unwavering control exercised by the clerics in power. Their extreme use of the Muslim religion to oppress women, deny human rights to homosexuals and lesbians, and obstruct dissent at home has only been surpassed when they took their show on the road. In an effort to achieve the goals of the Third Reich, Iran has been trying to acquire and develop nuclear weapons to eliminate the Jewish population in their region. Combined with their network of terrorist organizations, a who’s who of associated groups dedicated to wreaking havoc, this cabal threatened peace and order globally. Through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its elite Quds Force (IRGC-QF), the Iranian government funds, trains, and provides advanced weaponry to maintain its global network known as the “Axis of Resistance.” Canada, the United States, the European Union, and Argentina are among the nations or groups of nations that have officially designated the IRGC as a terrorist entity. This seems merited considering the list of sinister collectives include: Hezbollah (Lebanon), Hamas (Gaza), Houthis (Yemen), Palestinian Islamic Jihad (Gaza); militia groups, including: Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) (led attacks on the U.S. in Iraq), Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) (a powerful Iraqi group), Harakat al-Nujaba (HAN) (a Foreign Terrorist Organization), and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), (a militia in Syria to support the Assad regime); Al-Ashtar Brigades (Bahrain): (Shia militant group aimed at overthrowing the Bahraini monarchy), Fatemiyoun Division & Zaynabiyoun Brigade: (Paramilitary groups composed of Afghan and Pakistani Shia soldiers to fight in Syria), and Al-Qaeda (since at least 2009).
American administrations since Jimmy Carter have expressed frustration with the Ayatollahs and have wanted to see them replaced. President Ronald Reagan destroyed half their navy in the 1988 operation ‘Praying Mantis,” but they built it back. President Barack Obama thought he had negotiated a deal to end their nuclear dreams, but they double-crossed him and lied about their intentions, even though he sent them skids of cash (1.7 billion dollars) to settle a decades-old dispute. As far back as 1980, Iran’s international behaviour outraged private citizen Donald Trump, who mused that tough action was required. Trump had the chance to act during his first term but chose not to, having promised his supporters that there would be no more “forever wars.” Early this year, after the authorities in Iran slaughtered about 40,000 protestors, Trump warmed up to the idea of partnering with Israel to bring the simmering hostilities to a boil. The evidence supports a strong case for defending the American and Israeli mission. A lasting Middle East peace was not in the diplomatic cards. The effort to “jaw-jaw” had repeatedly resulted in deaths, bombings, and a growing network of terrorism. When this war finishes, the Iranian people will have a chance to rise and establish a new government, create new lives for the millions who have been oppressed and mistreated, and revive a civilization that once contributed to the world through scientific discoveries and engineering achievements.
As the chaos has ensued, two additional leaders are also serving as bulwarks against this encroaching tyranny. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it the central mission of his political career to expose the Iranian regime’s nuclear deceptions, famously drawing a “red line” at the United Nations to warn of the existential threat. His unwavering stance has shifted Israel into a proactive regional power, determined to dismantle the “Axis of Resistance” and neutralize the clerical leadership in Tehran. Similarly, Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has become a global symbol of democratic resilience. Zelensky has highlighted that the regimes in Russia, Iran, and China are “brothers in hatred,” united by their exchange of lethal technologies and shared desire to deal a fatal blow to Western civilization. By sharing Ukraine’s battle-tested expertise in intercepting Iranian-made drones with his allies, Zelensky has turned a localized defence into a global strategy to safeguard democracy from high-tech dictatorship.
THE BAD
No one would expect Vladimir Putin of Russia, Xi Jinping of China, or their clients to help. Still, between these rivals and the United Nations, the usual hypocrisy has been on display. Russia and China have both been supplying Iran with arms and the means with which to continue its efforts to threaten oil supplies, trade routes, and civilian life. While neither country has sent troops, they have used data and information to help Iran. Russia has shared targeting information to improve Iran’s retaliatory strikes at U.S. and Israeli sites while also selling the Iranian government 500 launch units and 2,500 missiles, trainer jets, attack helicopters, and armoured vehicles. China has also provided Iran with satellite data and granted it access to its Beidou navigation system, as well as delivered drones, air defence systems and sodium perchlorate, an important rocket fuel ingredient. And since 2019, the three countries have collaborated on a naval exercise known as the “Maritime Security Belt.”
Economically, the “axis of evil” has also worked together to help Iran bypass international sanctions. China buys between 80 to 90 per cent of Iran’s oil, accounting for about half of Iran’s budgetary income. The Xi government also facilitates Iran’s ability to evade U.S. secondary banking sanctions, substituting its currency to hide Iran’s financial activities. Strategically, in January 2025, Russia and Iran signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty covering military and intelligence coordination. Iran recently joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS, groups led by Moscow and Beijing.
Diplomatically, both countries have spoken with forked tongues and two faces. Both countries abstained from a UN Security Council resolution concerning the situation in Iran because it did not highlight U.S. and Israeli strikes. Both have condemned Israeli and American strikes as violating international law, something neither nation cares about unless it applies to the United States. China has proposed a five-point peace plan that they know will not succeed but can use as evidence of their effort to act as a peacemaker. And documenting North Korea’s interests would require space not provided for this column. If Iran has the support of these nations, it should raise some curiosity among those opposed to Trump and Netanyahu. Yet most seem satisfied to believe that anything Trump does is wrong, and that opinion is even stronger for Netanyahu.
THE UGLY
Faced with overwhelming evidence, European nations, after years of demanding American support, equipment, and involvement in the Russian-Ukrainian War, refused to help the U.S.-Israeli-led war against Iran and even denied the United States military use of air bases they largely paid for as part of NATO agreements. Vacillating in trying to justify their wavering support of an old ally, Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the UK, President Emmanuel Macron of France, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany have all wobbled when explaining why they could not get behind the effort to clean up the terrorist threats in the Persian Gulf. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, to no one’s surprise, has opposed the war in all forms. The strange thing about these men, however, is the willingness to designate the Iranian regime as a terrorist entity but refuse to do much about it. The fecklessness of these governments serves as a reminder that when pressed, Europe has one interest above all others: its own protection and survival. If that means American sons shed blood to defend Europe from Russian expansion, then so be it, but to expect Europeans to experience any discomfort seems too big an ask. As former George W. Bush spokesman, Ari Fleischer observed in a tweet on April 3, 2026: “France particularly deserves fault and blame. From supporting China and Russia at the UN to denying Americans overflight rights, they’re doing what they’ve always done – showing weakness, while cutting deals with terrorists. (The reason the U.S. has a Marine Corps and Navy is that, unlike France, we refused to pay a ransom to the Barbary Pirates. France is always happy to cut a deal).”
Otherwise, as the last few decades have shown, Europe expects America to continue what it began after World War II, when it rebuilt the continent and ensured its survival. Like a child that never moves beyond depending on its benevolent parents for food, shelter, and clothing, Europe has enjoyed the benefits of the United States military’s presence while creating platinum social programs. Unfortunately, the bill has come due, and they don’t want to pay. Fearing that their voter blocs, which consist of large populations sympathetic to political Islam, might abandon them, Starmer and crew have remained neutral despite the oil routes in dispute providing Europe with about 70% of its oil. Other parts of the continent are stepping up to prepare to defend their territory in case the Russian Bear gets greedy. Western Europe appears unwilling to commit and determined to avoid conflict until the worst is over. A fair-weather friend comes to mind when thinking about their partnership in the 21st century.
THE CARNEY
Sadly, Canada and its prime minister, despite the dominant media’s coverage, look unsteady. Ranging from one position to another, the prime minister has imitated a weathervane in a gale. If he hoped to be Jean Chrétien in the Iraq War, the situation and the circumstances are different. Chrétien stood by his position and did not equivocate in public, much less day to day. Our current prime minister seems content to use Trump as his foil for as long as possible. It may be good politics in the short term, but will it pay off in the long term? As with most matters, Carney likes to hide the ball, run downfield, and then tell everyone about the great strides he has made. No one really knows whether progress has been made or what it means. Leaning on the Trump factor for a trust edge, Carney believes he can get Canadians to follow him wherever he wants to go. Let’s hope he knows where the cliff ends.
Dave Redekop is a retired elementary resource teacher who worked part-time at the St. Catharines Courthouse as a Registrar until being appointed Executive Director at Redeemer Bible Church in October 2023. He has worked on political campaigns since high school and attended university in South Carolina for five years, earning a Master’s in American History with a specialization in Civil Rights. Dave loves reading biographies.
