The claim that Ali Khamenei misunderstood the West for 47 years sounds sharp. It travels well on social media and feels like an easy insight. However, I believe this perspective collapses under closer scrutiny, because in reality he didn’t misread the West. Khamenei did not misunderstand the West at all. Instead, he built his entire political system around the specific goal of opposing it. That distinction changes everything about how I view Middle Eastern stability. The Foundation of Ideological Design Since becoming Supreme Leader in 1989, I have observed that Iran’s strategic posture remains remarkably consistent. This is a story … Continue reading He Didn’t Misread the West. He Chose to Fight It for 47 Years