"don't you think we ARE financing regime change in Iran?"
To the extent that's needed to topple the regime? No.
To a Much lesser extent, yes.
Given that the CIA's budget is classified, there is no way to tell. I have little faith in the CIA though so you may be right.
However, a lot of Persians live in the US and they must have some influence with the people in Iran. I would bet that a lot of capital goes into Iran to fund anti-theocratic movements.
It's an interesting question but you and I can't really know the answer here. I know that the UN would be on the side of the current government so international consensus would be against the normal people in Iran. Funny how things have evolved eh?
Iran is one of the 20'th centuries greatest failures IMHO. It could have played out so differently. This event perhaps foreshadowed modern Islamic terrorism. IMHO, it was the birth of such things.
Your strategy is superior and one I advocate BUT the US can not be weak on Iran's government. The Europeans have proven themselves almost useless in dealing with Iran.
So we have to go realtively slow with Iran while Europe throws hissy fits at them. Once we get Iraq controllable, we can re-focus our efforts. In my mind. it's a time game. Of course, you may have faith in the EU and the UN, I can already tell you how that will end but figure it out for yourself.
Steady goes the pace and all that crap.
Arioch7 out!