Football Diplomacy
The Beautiful Hopeful Face of Iranian Soccer
Photo from US Soccer:
Recent commentary from PopLand Security (“ISIS To Field A Team In World Football?”) raised the question of whether and when the Islamic State might begin participating in international football. It is a frightening thought both for football fans and countries that host international football competitions. But, as we ponder the potential implications of an Islamic State football team, consider for a moment the young women of Iran.
For decades the relationship between the United States and Iran has been characterized by tension, sanctions, and deep seated distrust. In 1984 the United States designated Iran as a “state sponsor of terrorism.” A 2014 State Department report regarding state sponsors of terrorism noted regarding Iran:
Iran has historically provided weapons, training, and funding to Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups, including Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC). These Palestinian terrorist groups have been behind a number of deaths from attacks originating in Gaza and the West Bank. Although Hamas’s ties to Tehran have been strained due to the Syrian civil war, in a November 25 speech, Supreme Leader Khamenei highlighted Iran’s military support to “Palestinian brothers” in Gaza and called for the West Bank to be similarly armed. In December, Hamas Deputy Leader Moussa Abu Marzouk announced bilateral relations with Iran and Hamas were “back on track.”
Since the revolution in Iran in 1979, which, among other things, precipitated the taking of American hostages, the United States and Iran have been adversaries.
But longstanding hostilities did not prevent these women from setting an excellent example of how and where conflict should be resolved … on the pitch. Indeed, although Israel is our chief ally in the region, the recent incremental thawing of relations between the United States and Iran suggest that, perhaps just maybe, Henry Kissinger was right when he noted, “Iran is our natural ally in the region.”
On April 26, 2016 the United States Women’s national team U-16s played a team of young women from Iran. According to U.S. Soccer, this was the first time that a U.S. women’s team has ever played a team from the Middle East.
The outcome of the game is far less important than the fact that it took place at all.
As we ponder, sometimes with fear, the consequences that may result from the horrific violence and chaos visited upon the people of the Middle East and the world by organizations like ISIS, and the possibility that ISIS could establish itself as a nation, these young athletes from Iran should give us hope. In a part of the world that has seen so much conflict and destruction and fear, they remind us that we might just agree about more than we think we agree about.
They certainly remind us that conflict, distrust, and violence are not natural states for our children. These girls fought hard, played fair, and at the end of 90 minutes of regulation play left the field not as enemies, but as respected opponents. And perhaps friends. We need more of this.
Out Homeland Security depends on it.
