This week’s elections were a reminder of a freedom we should never take for granted: here in America, we can choose our leaders, openly criticize their decisions, and vote for change. So many people around the world do not have that same opportunity. Regardless of how any of us voted, that freedom is worth protecting. It means respecting the right to disagree, holding our leaders accountable, and ensuring that future generations have the same ability to make their voices heard.
This week’s American elections have drawn very different reactions across the Middle East. Iranian officials welcomed the Republican losses and portrayed them as a rejection of the war. Some Gulf governments reportedly see an opening for a peace agreement, while Israeli opposition leaders have called for rebuilding bipartisan ties with Washington.
But Tehran should not mistake Americans’ opposition to war for support for its leadership or the armed groups it backs. We can question our government’s decisions while still demanding accountability from Iran’s leadership, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Wanting peace does not mean overlooking repression or excusing violence.
Personally, I have long felt that a confrontation with Iran’s leadership was becoming increasingly difficult to avoid. We have spent years trying to contain threats that continue to affect families across the region. At the same time, that belief does not erase the human cost of war or the responsibility to protect civilians and demand a clear path forward.
At Amer Foundation, we want people across the Middle East to enjoy the freedoms we value here: to speak without fear, choose their leaders, and live without the threat of unlawful detention. Whatever comes next in Washington, those rights, and the families still waiting for their loved ones to come home, must remain a priority.