As President Donald Trump boldly navigates the turbulent waters of Middle Eastern geopolitics, Americans have rightly celebrated the swift and decisive actions that have severely weakened the Iranian regime. Trump’s aggressive yet calculated moves—including targeted strikes against nuclear facilities and the elimination of notorious IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani—have unquestionably thrown the tyrants in Tehran onto their heels. But as conservatives who value America’s security above all else, we must remain clear-eyed about the unintended consequences that inevitably follow regime instability.
While the Iranian government reels from sustained blows by Israel and relentless pressure from the United States, ISIS—a vile scourge we had hoped to eradicate—is quietly regrouping and biding its time. This radical Islamist group thrives in chaos, and as Tehran’s grip weakens, the danger of ISIS resurgence multiplies. The situation in Iran is beginning to resemble the kind of vacuum that allowed ISIS to rise in Iraq and Syria nearly a decade ago. History reminds us that where governance fails, terror flourishes.
General Joseph Votel, former head of U.S. Central Command, recently warned about precisely this risk. Speaking candidly with Newsweek, Votel stated, “We should pay attention to this in our policy discussions.” He described ISIS and Al-Qaeda as being “opportunistic by nature,” adding, “They will often take advantage of voids created by a lack of governance, disenfranchisement, unemployment, lack of opportunity, and social and economic disparity.” Votel’s words should resonate deeply with every conservative who remembers the tragic costs America paid to defeat ISIS.
Make no mistake: Trump’s America First agenda is the vanguard of a stronger, safer United States. His decisive stance against Iranian aggression has deterred our enemies and revitalized American leadership. Yet, as responsible patriots, we must consider the broader implications of our actions. The weakening of the Iranian regime, while undoubtedly beneficial to U.S. interests, must not inadvertently pave the way for ISIS to reclaim lost ground.
If the Iranian state weakens and its ability to maintain domestic security weakens, this opens up opportunities for ISIS.
Kamran Bokhari, senior director at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy in Washington, D.C.
Such warnings should command our attention. ISIS has already staged devastating attacks inside Iran, including the deadliest terror strike in the nation’s history just last year. As Iran’s security forces are stretched thin by their ongoing conflict with Israel, ISIS is poised to exploit the chaos, reestablishing itself as a deadly threat not only in Iran, but throughout the region and beyond.
Further complicating matters, Iran’s ethnic factions are restless. Separatist movements among Arabs, Azeris, Baloch, and Kurds have long sought autonomy from Tehran’s oppressive rule. These groups may see opportunity in the regime’s turmoil, potentially allying themselves—however temporarily—with ISIS fighters. Colin Clarke, senior research fellow at The Soufan Center, recently warned Newsweek that “there will be no shortage of separatists looking to take advantage of the weakness of the Iranian regime.” Clarke cautions that ISIS could “cooperate with these groups to conduct joint operations or simply exchange weapons, know-how, or other tactics.”
We conservatives must remain vigilant. President Trump’s policies have significantly damaged our enemies, yet we must not lose sight of the broader strategic landscape. ISIS, a threat we have sacrificed much to defeat, is eager to capitalize on the chaos. America must stand ready, prepared to move decisively against any resurgence of this brutal terrorist organization.
Trump’s America First priorities—securing our borders, revitalizing American manufacturing, reforming unfair trade policies, and ending endless foreign wars—are precisely what our nation needs. But safeguarding our homeland also means confronting the threats that could exploit power vacuums abroad. Let’s continue to support our President’s bold leadership while staying vigilant against the unintended consequences that may arise.
America’s safety demands nothing less.
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