From a historical point of view Iran (Persia) was long the hegemon in that part of the world, and was the bane of the Roman Empire. London is now the home of tens of thousands of emigre Iranians, and I got to know quite a few of them. They hate the mullahs, but they do agree on with the mullahs on one thing – Iran has a right to influence in the neighborhood going back thousands of years. These people are startlingly proud of their history and deeply offended by the actions of the West in recent history. They want their pride back and their influence – this is why they back Hezbollah and exercise muscle in the region.

Iran should by now be an ally, not an enemy. That it is hostile is a commentary on American political dynamics. Bring them in from the cold. We should keep out of the religious/tribal civil war in Syria and Iraq and forge a new alliance with Iran to restore peace. In every respect we use half measures, ill-thought out, and end up on the wrong side of everyone. Yet another war lost! The trolls will have a field day telling me I am wrong. They are part of the problem.

The relevance to Epicureanism? Seek peace and and keep out of situations you don’t understand and get continuously wrong.