I think The Dumb comes from marrying their cousins.
I wouldn’t sell the new chief of Iran a life insurance policy.
Certainly a very ingrown code of conduct. As no outside ideas or opinions are ever entertained by the Shi’ite authorities, there is no correction of growing error in their logic, and those errors that exist are magnified and tend to overwhelm even the least of criticism.
As the one-eyed logicians pursue their reasoning, the gulf between themselves and reality grows wider and wider.
Self-induced punishment, far greater than may be applied by any outside agency.
The truly elite marry their brother.
It appears you unintentionally left out their siblings and children.